THE HORSE. 7i3 



woik 1 is hr^tid only in its general sense. Roots, 

 such as carrots, turnips and potatoes, form the third 

 kind of food. In relation to their bulk, they have 

 less nutriment than grain, and more than fodder. 



GREEN IIEUBAGE. 



There are several kinds of green food, but the 

 individual properties of each are so little known, 

 that much cannot be said about them. 



Grass is the natural food of horses. It is provided 

 for him without the interference of art. It is com- 

 posed of a great number of plants, differing much 

 or little from each other in structure, composition 

 and duration. Some of the natural grasses are to 

 the horse mere weeds, destitute of nutriment, though 

 not positively injurious. Several are rejected, or 

 eaten only when there is nothing else to eat, and 

 none are sufficiently rich to maintain the horse in 

 condition for constant work, even though the work 

 be moderate. At a gentle pace he may travel a few 

 miles to-day, but he is unfit for a journey to-morrow. 

 By cutting the grass and bringing it to the stable, 

 the horse may be saved the labour of collecting it ; 

 but still he can render very little service. 



Grass, however, or green herbage of some kind, 

 is given to almost all horses during a part of the 

 year. The young animals, from the time they are 

 weaned till they are fit for work, receive gi'ass as 

 long as it can be had. Hunting and racing colts ex- 

 cepted, they receive little else. 



It is commonly believed that grass has some reno- 

 vating and purifying properties, not possessed by hay 

 nor by grain. It is true that all the kinds of green 

 herbage, including clover, saintfoin, lucerne, tares 

 and ryegrass, produce a change upon the hoi^se. 

 But whether the change be for better or for worae^ 

 ifi another qnnation. For the first two or three days, 



