340 NAVIN ox THE HORSE. 



flail to remove any dust, (some strip off the blade, but this is 

 unnecessary), and good, sound oats, Avell filled, will be found 

 the best feed that can be used. The oats should be run 

 through a mill to rip oif the points of the hulls, and then 

 through a fan-mill, so that no dust be fed. Indeed, every 

 article given the horse should be carefully freed from dust. 

 If good oats can not be procured, hominy, or dry corn with 

 the shell beaten oif, may be used as a substitute. Of this kind 

 of food, eight pounds of hay and twelve pounds of oats, or an 

 equal quantity of corn, should be given every twenty-four hours. ' 

 This should be given in four or five feeds. Much care must 

 be taken, in watering him, that he do not drink to surfeit at any 

 time. As a general thing, he should be allowed about two 

 quarts of water one hour after each feeding. The second 

 week it may be necessary to increase his feed a little ; but of 

 this the groom must be the judge. Nine-tenths of the race 

 stock will not require any increase of the first allowance. The 

 English cavalry horse is allowed six pounds of hay and ten 

 of oats, or four of hay and twelve of oats. On these al- 

 low^ances he keeps in good condition. 



After the horse has recovered from the effect of the bleed- 

 aijj;, ne must be sweat, by exercise, to harden his flesh and 

 " maive nis wind," as tns grooms term it. To do this, the 

 ^room will taKe mm, early every morning, and course him 

 inni tne iweat runs off profusely, at first putting on three 

 .">r four ciorsf»-oovers, or blankets, and for the first few days 

 allowing him to canter slowly, but continuing until the sweat 

 rolls off freely, being careful, how^evcr, to allow him to stop 

 often to " make his wind," particularly for the first week. 

 The next w^eek take off part of his blankets and run him 

 faster. After this the rest of the blankets are to be taken off 

 while at exercise. This course must not be continued up to 

 the day fixed for the race, lest he should be too weak. But his 

 flesh must be reduced, if he is expected to stand his work. 

 Man or beast, to endure extraordinary labor, must haA^e vigor 



