Stable Hints. 75 



dhan, Indian corn, barley should all be bruised, though not 

 ground up, before issue to ensure mastication, and if barley 

 alone is available, it should also be parched. 



GRASS, &c. Doob or Hurryalee grass, when procurable, ig 

 far the best ; it should be picked and beaten to eliminate dirt, 

 and dried for two days in the sun, but not wetted before use. 

 If only long green grass be obtainable, it must be dried, as wet 

 grass often causes colic. In Hill Districts, such as Darjeeling, 

 bamboo leaves are used as an entire substitute for grass. The 

 AustraUan hay sold in Presidency-towns is specially useful 

 when travelling by rail or sea. Chopped hay should only be 

 used when a horse must be fed from a nose-bag, as on the march. 

 Sugarcane in bits,, half a foot long, is a great treat and nutritious 

 though not good for the wind. It is specially suited for short 

 halts during long marches. 



Green food is always beneficial, such as a seer of lucerne, 

 guinea grass, Reana luxurians, or clover. If not to be got, 1 to 

 4 lbs. of raw carrots or parsnips chopped up, or half a pound of 

 cold boiled potatoes, cut in slices, can be mixed daily with the 

 ordinary feed of grain. Lucerne grass should be previously 

 dried in the sun. Bread and sugar should only be occasionally 

 given in small bits, by hand, as a treat. 



Forage biscuits and Silo grass are uncertain, as many horses 

 will not, though hungry, touch them, whilst others thrive on 

 such diet. In the Peninsular War troop-horses on hard work 

 were successfully fed on Slbs. of sugar in four feeds, with 71bs. 

 of hay daily, instead of Slbs. corn with 121bs. of hay. 



AVhen practicable, If hours should elapse after feeding before 

 work is commenced. 



WHAT TO AVOID. Never give damp hay, cabbages, 

 celery, anything greasy, the green tops of carrots and turnips, 

 husked rice called chanwal, nor unripe vegetables, Beans are 

 too heating for India, though so much used in England. 



GROOMING should always precede and not follow the 

 feeding,, 



SADDLE should not be removed for one hour after return 

 from work, or warbles way be caused. Take care that saddle 

 fits the horse, and that stuffing is in good order. 



SADDLERY should be kept clean with good leather of yellow 

 bar-soap, rubbed off with a bit of chamois leather. Don't 

 allow oil 01 grease to be put on the bit, as it is very offensive to 

 the horse. If momrogan be required, melt one pound wax 

 with three pounds mutton fat, strain, and when nearly cold add 

 one pint spirits of turpentine (Ryve's Recipe). This mixture^ 



