FOOD. 149 



damp and mouldiness, which at least disgust the animal, if 

 they do no other harm, and harbor an insect which destroys 

 the inner part of the bean. 



The straw of the bean is nutritive and wholesome, and is 

 usually given to the horses. Its nutritive properties are sup- 

 posed to be little inferior to those of oats. The small and 

 plump bean is generally the best. 



Peas are occasionally given. They appear to be in a slight 

 degree more nourishing than beans, and not so heating. They 

 contain five hundred and seventy-four parts of nutritive matter. 

 For horses of slow work they may be used ; but the quantity 

 of chaff should be increased, and a few oats added. They have 

 not been found to answer with horses of quick draught. It is 

 essential that they should be crushed ; otherwise, on account of 

 their globular form, they arc apt to escape from the teeth, and 

 many are swallowed wliole. Exposed to w^armth and moisture 

 in the stomach, they swell considera61y, and may painfully and 

 injudiciously distend it. The peas that are given to horses 

 should be sound, and at least a year old. In some sections, 

 pea-meal is frequently used, not only as an excellent food for 

 the horse, but as a remedy for diabetes, 



LixsEEU is sometimes given to sick horses — raw, ground, and 

 boiled. It is supposed to be useful in cases of catarrh. 



Indian Corn in combination with roots, forms a valuable 

 article of diet. Horses will eat the mess with an avidity of 

 appetite calculated to excite surprise at first. The mess, to 

 which a little salt should invariably be added, will keep them 

 in fair average condition ; and those which it is desirable to 

 fatten may have a small quantity of oats, pea or bran meal 

 added. 



