80 TlIK HORSK. 



of poor hay than of that which is more nutiitious. 

 If it be damaged, he must consume more than if it 

 were sound, for he rejects some, perhaps a half, and 

 that which he eats does not furnish so much nutri- 

 ment. When the work is fast, the horse must not 

 have so much as to give him a large belly. Eight 

 pounds of good hay is about the usual allowance to 

 fast-working horses, who may receive from twelve to 

 fifteen or eighteen pounds of grain. Large draught 

 horses will consume from twenty to thirty pounds, 

 but the quantity is seldom limited for these. Much, 

 however, depends upon the allowance of gi'ain. 

 A German agriculturist calculates that eight pounds 

 of meadow hay, or seven of that made from clover, 

 tares, or saintfoin, afford as much nourishment as 

 three pounds of oats. Of the hay raised on poor 

 soils, nine pounds may be required. 



A horse can live on hay and water, and when 

 thrown off work for a considerable period, he often 

 receives nothing else. This is not always right. 

 The horse becomes so feeble and so pot-bellied, that 

 it is long ere better food will restore his condition 

 for work. A little grain, some roots, or a bran-mash, 

 though given only once in two days, will help to 

 keep him in flesh. I have heard of the horse being 

 kept almost entirely on hay, receiving grain only 

 when he was to be used. I would recommend the 

 owner to confine himself to bread and water for a 

 week or two, and then try what work a beef-steak 

 will enable him to do. There is a material differ- 

 ence between eating to live and eating to work. 

 The stomach and bowels will hardly hold sufficient 

 hay to keep even an idle horse alive. 



The only preparation which hay receives before 

 it is given, is that of cutting it into chaff, into short 

 pieces. When given uncut, the groom does, oi 

 should, shake out the dust before he puts it in the 

 rack. 



