FOOD. 95 



8. For a saddle or coach-horsOj half a peck of sound oats 

 and eighteen pounds of good hay are sumcient. If the 

 hay is not good, add a quarter of a peck more oats. A 

 horse that works harder may have rather more of each; 

 one that works little should have less. 



9. Rack feeding is v/asteful. The better plan is to feed 

 with chopped hay, from a manger. Because the food is 

 not then thrown about, and is more easily chewed and digested. 



10. Sprinkle the hay v/ith water that has salt dissolved 

 in it. Because it is pleasing to the animaVs taste, and 

 more easily digested. [A teaspoonful of salt in a bucket of 

 y/ater is sufficient.] 



11. Oats and corn shouki be bruised for an old horse 

 but not for a young one. Because the former , through age 

 and defective teethy cannot chew them jjroperly ; the young 

 horse can do so, and they are thus p)'^^operly mixed with the 

 saliva, and turned into wholesome nutriment. 



12. Grass must always be cut for hay before the seed 

 drops. Because the juices that ripen the seed are the most 

 valuable part cf the hay. If they are sucked out by its 

 ripening and dropping, the grass will not tuhn into 

 HAY ; but will only wither and grow yellow. 



13. Vetches and cut grass should always bo given in the 

 spring to horses that cannot be turned out into the fields. 

 Because they are very cooling and refreshing, and almost 

 medicinal in their effects; but they must be supplied in 

 moderation, as they are liable to ferment in the stomach if 

 given largely. 



14. AVater your horse from a pond or stream, rather 

 than from a spring or v/ell. Because the latter is generally 

 hard and cold, while the former is soft, and comparatively 

 warm. The horse prefers soft, muddy water to hard v-ater, 

 iJiough ever so clear. 



