THE QUANTITY OF OATS. 397 



THE QUANTITY OF OATS. 



The average horse in a private stable performs compara- 

 tively a limited amount of work, and for such horses an 

 allowance of from eight to ten quarts of oats per day is 

 sufficient. For horses in regular work, covering between 

 eight and sixteen miles, a quart to each mile would be a fair 

 average. The majority of horses used for an afternoon's 

 drive or ride or for shopping are overfed, and many of the 

 accidents which occur may be traced to the grain bin. Al- 

 though the horse's diet cannot be abruptly increased or 

 diminished, the daily allowance should be in proportion to 

 the amount of work the horse performs, but not to the 

 number of hours he is in harness. Horses should always 

 be watered about half an hour before they are given their 

 grain. 



" The amount of grain given to the animal should be proportionate to 

 the amount of work he is called upon to perform, remembering always that 

 there is a constant waste of tissue going which demands repair by food. 



"In cold weather if horses be not warmly clad, they should have an 

 increase to the amount of their corn." M. H. Hayes, " Training and 

 Horse Management in India" pp. 77, 7<5 > . 



" Of the quantity to be given experience is also our best guide. The 

 regulation cavalry allowance of ten pounds per diem unquestionably is suf- 

 ficent for horses in ordinary work. This weight is about equivalent to what 

 is usually understood as three feeds. But where the work is severe, horses 

 should be allowed as much oats as they will eat. Hunters so fed will not 

 consume on the average of the winter more than from fourteen to fifteen 

 pounds or possibly sixteen per diem. Large carriage horses in ordinary 

 gentleman's work require fourteen pounds per day. On this allowance they 

 ought to be kept in the best possible condition." Sir F. Fitzwygram, 

 " Horses and Stables," p. 37. 



" The Daily Allowance of oats is very variable. Hunters and racers 

 receive almost as much as they will eat during the season of work. The 



