THE IIOKSK. 41 



wholesome, or fattening; therefore it is that in many horses that are 

 hardly worked, and indeed, in horses generally, barley does not agree 

 with them so well as oats. They are occasionally subject to inflamma- 

 tory complaints, and particularly to surfeit and mange. 



When barley is given, the quantity should not exceed a peck daily. 

 It should always be bruised, and the chaff should consist of equal quan- 

 tities of hay and barley-straw, and not cut too short. If the farmer has 

 a quantity of spotted or unsalable barley that he wishes thus to get 

 rid of, he must very gradually accustom his horses to it, or he will prob- 

 ably produce serious illness among them. For horses that are recover- 

 ing fi'om illness, barley in the form of malt is often serviceable as 

 tempting the appetite and recruiting the strength. It is best given in 

 mashes — water considerably below the boiling heat being poured upon 

 it, and the vessel or pail kept covered for half an hour. 



The Swedish Turnip is an article of food the value of which has not 

 been sufficiently appreciated, and particularly for agricultural horses. 

 Although it is far from containing the quantity of nutritive matter 

 which has been supposed, that which it has seems to be capable of easy 

 and complete digestion. It should be sliced with chopped straw, and 

 without hay. It quickly fjittens the horse and produces a smooth glossy 

 coat and a loose skin. It will be a good practice to give it once a day, 

 and that at night when the work is done. 



Carrots, — The virtues of this root are not sufficiently known, whether 

 as contributing to the strength and endurance of the sound horse, or the 

 rapid recovery of the sick one. To the healthy horse they should be 

 given sliced in his chaff. Half a bushel will be a fair daily allowance. 

 There is little provender of which the horse is fonder. The following 

 account of the value of the carrot is not exaggerated: "This root is 

 held in much esteem. There is none better, nor perliaps so good. 

 AVhen first given, it is slightly diuretic and laxative ; but as the horse 

 becomes accustomed to it, these effects cease to be produced. They also 

 improve the state of the skin." 



Potatoes have been given, and with advantage, in their raw state 

 sliced with chaff; but where it has been convenient to boil or steam 

 them, the benefit has been far more evident. Purging has then rarely 

 ensued. Some have given boiled potatoes alone; and horses, instead of 

 rejecting them, have soon preferred them even to the oat; but it is bet- 

 ter to mix them with the usual manger feed, in the proportion of one 

 pound of potatoes to two and a half pounds of the other ingredients. 

 The use of the potato must depend on its cheapness and the facility for 

 boiling it. Half a dozen horses would soon repay the expense of a 

 steaming boiler in the saving of prorender, Avithout taking into the 

 account their improved condition and capability for work.'^ A horse 

 fed on potatoes should have his quantity of water materially curtailed. 



* Professor Low says that fifteen pounds of potatoes yield as much nourishment 

 as four pounds and a half of oats. You Thayer asserts that three .bushels are 

 equal to one hundred and twelve pounds of hay ; and Curwen, who tried potatoes 

 extensively in the feeding of horses, says that an acre goes as far as four acres of 

 hay. 



