24 FEEDING. 



veterinary surgeon, who will examine the animal's 

 mouth, teeth, and general state of health, and probably 

 report that the lining of the cheeks is highly inflamed 

 in some part, owing to undue angularity or decay of 

 the teeth, and he will know how to act accordingly. 



When horses are on a journey, or a long ride home 

 after hunting, some people recommend the use of 

 gruel ; but, from experience, I prefer giving a handful 

 of wetted hay in half a bucket of te^iid water, or ale or 

 porter. — See page 37. 



Feeding on Board Shi]j should be confined to chaff 

 and bran, mixed with about one-fourth the usual quan- 

 tity of bruised oats. 



Though horses generally look well when "full of 

 flesh," there are many reasons why they should not be 

 allowed to become fat after the fashion of a farmer's 

 " stall-feds." Some really good grooms think this form 

 of condition the pink of perfection. They are mistaken. 

 An animal in such a state is quite unfit to travel at any 

 fast pace or bear continued exertion without injury, 

 and may therefore be considered so far useless. 



He is also much more liable to contract disease, and 

 if attacked by such the constitution succumbs more 

 readily. 



Moreover, the superfluous weight of the cumbrous 

 flesh and fat tends to increase the wear and tear of the 

 legs; and if the latter be at all light from the knee to 

 the pastern, they are more likely to sufi'er. 



On the other hand, it may be well to observe, by way 

 of caution, that it is by no means good management to 

 let a horse become at any time reduced to actual lean- 

 ness through overwork or deficient feeding. It is far 

 easier to pidl down than to put up flesh. 



