68 



THE PRACTICAL HOUSE KEEPER. 



The following table shows the amount of food required by 

 a horse under different conditions of labour, the proximate 

 principles of the diet being given : — 



It must be remembered that the above quantities are only- 

 approximate. Ten pounds of carbo-hydrates would in all 

 probability not be consumed by a racehorse — perhaps not 

 more than two-thirds of that amount ; yet a large waggon- 

 horse, subjected to severe labour, would consume fully that 

 quantity. And, as has been already hinted, the animal body is 

 not a mere machine which only requires an increase in fuel to- 

 develop an increase of power for work ; for there is a limit to 

 absorption and assimilation of the pabulum, this being smallest 

 for fats, next for albuminates, and largest for carbo-hydrates. 

 If the work imposed upon a horse is larger than his system 

 can sustain, even where the food allowed is unlimited in 

 quantity, this will not permit him to undergo the toil without 

 injury. A horse will succumb to overwork, however well he 

 may be fed. 



DIGESTIBILITY OF FOOD. 



The digestibility of foods is an important consideration in 

 feeding, as with some kinds more is absorbed into the system 

 than others. With scarcely any of them is digestion com- 

 plete throughout, a portion always being thrown out of the 

 body undigested, no matter what amount of preparation it 

 may have undergone. 



