DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD. 81 



oats, as when horses are fed upon it alone, it is considered too 

 heating. 



Barley. — Barley is generally too expensive in this country 

 for horses. If used at all, great care must be observed, as it 

 is liable to cause derangement of digestion, and irritation of 

 the bowels and skin. 



Rye. — Kye is better and safer than barley, but inferior to 

 oats. 



Beans. — Beans constitute an excellent ingredient in the 

 feed of horses doing very hard work, as they contain more 

 nutritive and stimulant matter. English beans for feeding 

 should be one year old, weigh from 60 lbs. to 64 lbs. per bushel, 

 and be hard, full, sweet, and free from perforations caused by 

 insects which devour the kernel. The skin should be thin, 

 and easily removed. Egyptian beans are largely used because 

 of their lower price ; if they are clean, dry, and sound, they 

 are not very inferior to English beans. - 



Peas. — These have somewhat the same composition as 

 beans, and are, therefore, almost equally nutritious; being 

 weight-for-weight cheaper, they are often substituted for these. 

 They should also be at least a year old, sound, clean, and free 

 from perforations. 



Bran. — This can scarcely be looked upon as an article of 

 substantial diet, as owing to the improved wheat-dressing 

 machines, very little nutritious matter is allowed to adhere to 

 it. It is, however, often given as a laxative to sick horses, 

 or those which are resting; and it is palatable and refresh- 

 ing. It should be dry, free from mould, sweet-tasting, and 

 clean. 



Linseed. — This is not usually given to healthy horses, but 

 for patients. It is employed in the form of mucilage, tea, or 

 gruel. Linseed-cake water is sometimes used to moisten 

 manger-food, when this is of a constipating nature, and 

 ■with advantage. It has been recommended that in large 



