THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF FEEDING 269 



equal weight of the latter. The quantity of hay varies according to the 

 constitution, gross feeders being allowed less, and delicate, light-carcassed 

 horses more than the above. The limit to the oats is the appetite, the 

 trainer taking care not quite to satisfy the horse, which would produce 

 satiety and disgust, but giving him as much of this food as he can without 

 this effect. One-third of the hay is given in the morning after exercise, and 

 the remainder at night. The oats are divided into four feeds, one being 

 given the first thing in the morning, the next on coming in from exercise, 

 the thii'd at four o'clock in the afternoon, and the last at seven or eight in 

 the evening, when the stable is closed for the night. Very little water is 

 allowed in the morning, two or three " go-downs " being all that is usually 

 given, about half-a-bucket on coming in from exercise after the horse is dressed 

 and fed, the same quantity in the afternoon, and a full allowance at night. 

 Once a week, if required by the state of the bowels, a bran mash is given, but 

 this is omitted when the time of trial is approaching. 



The Hunter is fed nearly in the same way as the race-horse, the chief 

 difference being that a little more hay is allowed, and consequently less corn. 

 Few hunters get more than five or six quarterns of oats, and indeed there 

 are not many which will eat more; for in order that the appetite for this 

 kind of food shall b as highly developed as in the race-horse, the animal 

 must have been reared on oats from the earliest period, which few hunters 

 but those bred for the r .cecourse have been. The allowance, therefore, is 

 generally about ten pound ; of hay, and five or six quarterns of oats, or five 

 quarterns of oats and half- x-qua 'tern of beans. The hay and corn are given 

 at the same times as in the racing stable, and the water also in the same 

 proportions. Gruel is given when the hunter comes home after a hard day, 

 as it restores the tone of the stomach after long fasting better than oats, 

 which, moreover, the exh lusted horse generally refuses till he has had some- 

 thing to give his stomach a fillip. A bran mash should be given once a week, 

 or every ten days, unless there is a tendency to purge, when of course it is 

 not wanted. No change of food is required during the hunting season, but 

 after this is over it is necessary to decide whether the hunter shall be turned 

 out for the summer, or soiled indoors. The advocates for the two proceed- 

 ings are warm in support of their several opinions, which will be treated 

 of hereafter under the head of Shimmering. 



Hacks require from three quarterns to a peck of oats, and ten to twelve 

 pounds of hay daily. The latter is given in two portions, one at night, and 

 the other in the morning, the former being divided into four feeds, which 

 are put into the manger at 6 or 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 4 p.m., and 7 or 8 p.m. 

 In most stables some of the hay is cut up with an equal quantity of 

 straw, into chaff, and of this about a peck a day is given with the corn, the 

 object being to induce the horse to masticate it thoroughly. The plan is 

 so generally adopted now that I need not insist upon its advantages, which 

 may be accepted as indisputable. If these hoi'ses are much exposed to 

 the weather during the winter and early spring, a few beans in place of 

 some of the oats may be used with decided benefit, especially if they have 

 been accustomed to them in previous seasons. It must always be remem- 

 bered, however, that they have a tendency to produce inflammation, especially 

 in the feet and eyes ; and, therefore, in those animals which have a weakness 

 in either of the organs named, beans should carefully be avoided. Generally 



