268 



THE HORSE 



tions they are found in the varieties of keep which have already been 

 described, so as to enable the horse-ui aster to make his selection according 

 to circumstances. All these substances are found in the blood, but the 

 composition of this fluid does not enlighten us as to the wants of the 

 system, because it is continually receiving and giving off its various 

 elements. The blood of a horse fed on highly nitrogenized food does not 

 differ on analysis from that of another which has been kept on the 

 opposite kind of diet. Physiological research, however, tells us that 

 muscle is composed of fibres, and that every time a bundle of them 

 contracts a certain expenditure of nitrogen is made, calling for a cor- 

 responding supply from the blood, which cannot be afforded unless the 

 food contains it. Hence the badly-fed horse, if worked, soon loses his 

 flesh, and not only becomes free from fat, but also presents a contracted 

 condition of all his muscles. And thus science is confirmed by everv-day 

 experience, and the fact is generally admitted that to increase the muscular 

 powers of a horse he must have a sufficient supply of nitrogenized food. 

 As I have remarked above, the nutrition of muscle requires nitrogen 

 but in addition the brain and nerves must be supplied with fatty matter, 

 phosphorus, and albumen. The bones demand gelatine and earthy salts, 

 and the maintenance of heat cannot be effected without carbon in some 

 shape or other. But it is chiefly with nitrogenized food that we have to 

 deal in considering the present question, there being plenty of the other 

 substances I have mentioned in all the varieties of food which are not 

 largely composed of fibrine. It may therefore be taken for granted that 

 the hardly-worked horse requires oats or beans, or both mixed together in 

 varying proportions, together with such an amount of hay as will supply 

 him with the starch, gum, sugar, fat, and saline matters which his system 

 requires ; while on the other hand the idle animal does not use his mus- 

 cular system to any extent, and therefore does not require much or any 

 oats or beans. The following table exhibits the proportions of these 

 various elements in the several kinds of horse food most frequently used 

 in this country : 



II ACE HORSES are fed upon the best upland hay, of which about six to 

 eight pounds are given to each on the average daily, and from fifteen to 

 twenty pounds of the best oats, in some cases beans being substituted for an 



