FEEDING, WATERING AND GROOMING, 235 



order. Their use, and how to prepare them, will be given in the chap- 

 ters on the treatment of diseases. Salt is the only true condiment for 

 herbiverous animals. This they should have always before them. They 

 will then take just what is needed and no more. 

 VI. How to Make Mashes. 



A sweet mash is made by taking four quarts of good bran, moistening 

 it gradually with hot water, and then adding enough boiling water to 

 bring it to the proper consistency. Cover with a cloth, and when cool 

 enough give it to the horse. A small teaspooiiful of salt may be added, 

 if desired. 



Another good mash Is made by boiling two quarts of ground oats, a pint 

 of flax-seed and a little salt, for three hours. Then mix with it enough 

 bran to bring it to a proper consistency for eating. A half pint of 

 molasses may be added to the water. Cover with a cloth and feed cold. 

 This is the quantity for a horse, and is a good Sunday morning meal 

 when the team is kept on dry food during the rest of the week. 

 VII. How to Make Gruel. 



There is nothing better for a tired horse than gruel ; every horse should 

 be taught to drink it. Stir a pint or more of oat-meal gradually into 

 four quarts of cold water. If you have no oatmeal, use half a pint or 

 more, each, of fine corn-meal and flour, according as it is liked, thick or 

 thin. Then fill up the pail, in which it is mixed, with water ; stir and 

 give it to the animal at once. Sometimes a dainty horse may be induced 

 to take it, by first giving him a single swallow of water. 



Never give a horse solid food when exhausted. If he will not take 

 gruel, try him vnth hay tea, after having first turned down a quart of 

 good stock ale. Rub him, in any event, until dry, and then give him his 

 feed. By this time he will probably have taken some hay. 



Hay Tea. — To make hay tea, fill a bucket with the best of hay, clean 

 and bright. Pour over it enough ])oiling water to fill the pail. Cover 

 closely to keep in the steam, pressing the hay down occasionally, or put 

 it on the stove to keej) it hot while pressing. In fifteen minutes it will 

 be sufficiently steeped. Turn off the water into another bucket, and add 

 enough cold water to make six or seven quarts, and give to the horse when 

 cool enough to drink. It is nourishing and an excellent stimulant for a 

 tired horse. 



Vm. The Quantity of Grain to Feed. 



Grain should always be fed by weight. If a team require a bushel of 

 oats a day, this will be 36 pounds of sound, clean oats ; if the oats are 

 not clean, the bushel will weigh only 32 pounds, or less. If com is to 

 be substituted, give only a half bushel, or 28 pounds of shelled corr 



