142 ^ FOOD. 



those with defective teeth, cut feed is peculiarly useful, and for 

 them the grain should be broken down as well as the fodder. 



While the mixture of the cut feed with the grain prevents it 

 from being too rapidly devoured and a portion of it swallowed 

 whole, and therefore the stomach is not too loaded with that 

 on which, as containing the most nutriment, its chief digestive 

 power should be exerted ; yet, on the whole, a great deal of 

 time is gained by this mode of feeding, and more is left for rest. 

 When a horse comes in wearied at the close of the day, it oc- 

 cupies, after he has eaten his grain, two or three hours to clear 

 his rack. On the system of manger-feeding, the chaff being 

 already cut into small pieces, and the beans and oats bruised, 

 he is able fully to satisfy his appetite in an hour and a half. 

 Two additional hours are therefore devoted to rest. This is a 

 circumstance deserving of much consideration, even in the 

 farmer's stable ; and of immense consequence to the stage-coach 

 proprietor, the livery-stable keeper, and the owner of every hard- 

 worked horse. 



Manger food will be the usual support of the farmer's horse 

 during the winter, and while at constant or occasional hard 

 work ; but from the middle of April to the end of July, he 

 may be fed with this mixture in the day, and turned out at 

 night, or he may remain out during every rest-day. A team 

 in constant employ should not, however, be suffered to be out 

 at night after the end of July. 



The farmer should take care that the pasture is thick and 

 good ; and that the distance from the yard is not too great, or 

 the fields too large, otherwise a very considerable portion of 

 time will be occupied in catching the horse in the morning. 

 He will likewise have to take into consideration the sale he 



