BEDDING 



most elastic. Oat straw is too soft and brittle, whilst barley 

 straw, though tougher, is also rougher, and the most liable 

 of all to cause inflammation when eaten. Under ordinary 

 circumstances an allowance of about lo lbs. of straw a day 

 is a fair average, the correct method to pursue being to 

 remove all the soiled bedding each morning, and to leave a 

 thin layer of straw for the horse to stand on during the 

 day ; the remainder of the night bedding and the allowance 

 of fresh litter being forked up under the manger until the 

 animals are bedded down in the evening. 



When peat moss is used for bedding, see that the stable 

 drains should be carefully stopped up to prevent their 

 becoming choked. Peat moss undoubtedly forms a good 

 bed, and as it absorbs moisture readily, the soiled portions 

 are easily removed without incurring any unnecessary waste. 

 Thus moss is a cheap bedding, and is used in every horse- 

 breeder's stable, but its quality varies, and hence the necessity 

 of only dealing with a reliable firm, such as the Litter Supply 

 Company of Mark Lane, E.C. 



Sawdust spread to the depth of a few inches on the floor 

 forms a very good bedding, and if covered over with a thin 

 layer of straw, does not look at all bad in the day-time, 

 but care must be taken to stop the drains. 



Sand, especially sea-sand, cannot be recommended as a 

 bedding, even if it is covered by straw, as it is apt to get 

 into the coats, eyes, and nostrils of the horses, and many of 

 them will eat it if it contains any salt. With this also the 

 drains must be stopped. 



Bracken is a capital bedding if a sufficient supply can 

 be obtained, and the owner does not attach importance to 

 a smart appearance. Only dry bracken should be used as 

 litter, and if easily obtainable can be recommended for cart- 

 horse stables, and the boxes used by young stock. 



Hay which is unfit for food is sometimes used for bedding, 

 but under any circumstances it is not to be recommended 

 for the purpose, as, not being elastic in its nature, it flattens 

 down and becomes hard for the horses to lie upon. 



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