102 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



bed ; so arranged, Reynolds regards it as economical and at 

 saving to straw, and as being also an absolute comfort and 

 benefit to the horse. 



For horses which eat their litter to such an extent as to 

 prove injurious, sawdust is to be recommended as bedding, one 

 horse requiring about a hundredweight per week. If drains 

 are in the stable, it is liable to choke them. 



Sea-sand can be used as bedding, and it answers very well. 



Peat is sometimes used in districts where it can be easily 

 obtained, and the light-coloured peat, found abundantly on the 

 Continent, and in some parts of this country, and popularly 

 known as moss litter, has come very much into use lately. 

 Though various conflicting opinions have been given with 

 regard to it, in stables where it has been extensively used, its 

 adoption has been attended with advantage to the horses both 

 in their limbs and feet, as well as their general health, while a 

 great money saving has been effected. It is a powerful deodo- 

 riser and absorbent, makes a very soft elastic bed, and horses 

 do not, as a rule, care to eat it. When of good quality and 

 properly prepared, there can be no doubt that it is a valuable 

 litter ; though the depreciation in price, caused by excessive 

 competition, has brought a very inferior supply into the 

 market. For horses with tender or contracted feet, or whose 

 hoofs are bad or grow slowly, it is very advantageous. It is 

 also valuable as a manure, and by its use in stables drains can 

 be dispensed with. 



EXERCISE. 



When not performing regular work, horses require steady 

 exercise at regular periods during the intervals; if this be 

 neglected, the horse becomes " soft," fat, and is predisposed to 

 disease. In addition to exercise, as already mentioned, less 

 food, especially grain, should be given, than during hard work. 

 The best time for exercise will depend upon circumstances ; the 

 early morning is usually preferred by grooms, but to this there 



