The Management of Light Horses 159 



oat straw for their young horses to pull at. I knew a farmer in 

 the East Moor dales, who, when asked what he gave his horses to 

 make them look so blooming, replied, " Badly thrashed oat straw," 

 by which he meant oat sheaf In spite of his experience, I do not 

 care for oat straw for horses unless it has been cut very green, 

 when I believe it makes an excellent ration, though I have had 

 no personal experience of it. 



A very excellent ration for young growing horses, yearlings 

 and upwards, is boiled peas, which may be given with advantage 

 two or three times a week. I have never tried them with foals, 

 but I do not see why they should not answer well if given in 

 moderation. The hand meat given to a young horse has been 

 valued at something like £24 from the time he is foaled to four 

 years old, and of course it adds considerably to his cost. But the 

 breeder does not set out with the intention of breeding ^^50 horses, 

 and with good material, though it is injudicious to overforce, it 

 is fatal to lose growth. 



SHOWING 



Showing is greatly in vogue in these days, and there is no 

 gainsaying the statement that for the promising young horse the 

 showyard makes the best market. Unfortunately, the require- 

 ments of the modern show ring include show condition, and it has 

 also become a fashion to estimate height in horses at much more 

 than its real worth. So if a horse is considered good enough to 

 show, a special preparation is required. He must be big, full of 

 flesh, and upstanding if he has to have any chance of making 

 a name. 



If a yearling is shown early — a plan which is certainly not 

 advisable, for reasons which will shortly appear — it is necessary 

 to begin to get him ready soon after Christmas. It is not possible 

 to give a ration, or to do anything more than indicate the lines on 

 which the youngster should be trained. His food should be good 

 in quality, and care should be taken not to give him too many 

 mashes, lest he should get soft and run too much to fat. Firm 

 handling on his neck is a great essential, and he should carry as 

 much muscle as possible in one of his age. He will require regular 

 exercise and regular handling. 



Anyone who watches the yearlings closely at the early shows 

 cannot fail to notice how frequently a promising yearling will 

 " alter " as the season progresses. One that has carried all before 

 him at first is seen to lose character, his hind legs seem to have 

 grown away from him, and he stands very differently from what 



