THE QUANTITY OF HAY. 393 



November well-saved examples are sufficiently dried to render them innocuous 

 in this respect. In the author's opinion, new hay may be given safely after 

 that date to hunters which are not limited in their oats, though he is quite 

 aware that popular opinion is opposed to this view. Hay of one year is 

 desirable, though not essential, to hard condition. After a year and a half, 

 hay, he thinks, loses much of its nutritious qualities. It becomes over-dry 

 and, if the expression may be used, stale." — Sir F. Fitzwygram, ^'Horses 

 and Stables,'' p. SQ. 



THE QUANTITY. 



The average horse in ordinary work will require between 

 ten and twelve pounds of hay per day, of which from three 

 to five pounds should be given early in the morning, and 

 the remainder at night. 



About two tons per year will be required for each horse 

 having ten pounds a day, and not more than three tons can 

 be consumed by a horse receiving any grain. By multiply- 

 ing the number of horses in the stable by 12 (the number of 

 pounds of hay per day for each horse), and the product by 

 365 (the number of days in the year), and then dividing by 

 2000 (the number of pounds to the ton), a very fair idea of 

 the amount of hay required can be obtained. 



"The daily quantity of hay allowed each horse must vary with its quality 

 and the work. If the corn be limited, the horse will eat a greater weight of 

 poor hay than of that which is more nutritious. When the work is fast, the 

 horse must not have so much as to give him a large belly. Eight pounds of 

 good hay is about the usual allowance to fast working horses, who may 

 receive from twelve to fifteen or eighteen pounds of corn." — John Stewart, 

 " Stable Economy,'' p. 188. 



" Practically it will be found that horses which are not limited in regard 

 to oats will not usually consume above six pounds of hay per diem. If no 

 more than twelve pounds are given with three feeds of corn or half that 

 quantity where the horses have an unlimited supply of corn, they will not, in 



