FOODS AND FEEDING. I25 



indigestion, which may lead to rupture of the stomach, ensues. If, then, 

 a horse is to be given a larger ciuantity of corn than usual, it is not wise 

 to increase the size of each feed, but to give the extra quantity as an 

 additional meal. This plan of increasing the number instead of the 

 quantity of feeds is more particularly to be recommended for the 

 conditioning of thin horses ; since their digestions as well as their 

 muscles are weak, and unable to cope with much at a time. 



The principle of feeding in small quantities and often is, as previously 

 noted, thoroughly carried out in some of the best managed commercial 

 studs ; the total amount of food is handed over to the horse-keeper and 

 it is left to him to keep his horses continually supplied with small 

 quantities throughout the day. The whole of the hay is, of course, chafted 

 to avoid waste and the animals learn to eat leisurely, thus avoiding any 

 chance of overloading the stomach. 



(3) Do not work hard imniediately after a full feed. — Immediately Do not 

 after a meal the stomach and bowels are actually bigger than before, they }^'0'"k hard 

 contain more water and food and are perhaps slightly distended by gases !^'J^g"^f^ftgj, 

 resulting from the digestive process, consequently they occupy more ^ i^^^x feed, 

 room than was the case just previous to feeding. The extra room is 

 provided by a little filling out of the belly generally and also — and this is 

 the important point — by the bulging forwards of the stomach against the 

 diaphragm (Fig. 2, p. 12). On the otherside of the diaphragm (midrift) lie the 

 lungs ; any pressure on them impedes their power of expansion, and it is 

 for this reason that strong' work immediately after a meal causes instant 

 blowing and distress. The lungs cannot expand and contract with sufficient 

 facility to get rid of their contained blood and provide the amount of 

 fresh air necessary for it, and laboured breathing is the result. If hard 

 work is persisted in under these conditions either the lungs get choked 

 with blood or the digestion stops ; the latter is most serious, rupture 

 of the stomach as a result of gaseous distension being not uncommon. 

 Heavy draught or fast work should therefore be avoided directly after a full 

 feed, but no harm results from continuing a quiet journey. 



Grazing. 

 To the working horse fed constantly on hard food, grazing Grazing a 

 and green stuff are the acme of luxury and enjoyment, and in addition the luxury to 

 effect of green grass on the digestion is beneficial. No occasion should working 

 be neglected if grazing, for even the shortest period, is obtainable. Many *-*^*^^- 

 opportunities for a brief bite may pass unnoticed by a thoughtless, 

 careless or untrained man, and every mounted soldier should be taught 



