HUNTERS 



mashes are a good deal used for hunters, more 

 especially mixed with oats, and sometimes with 

 linseed. There are very few horses that will 

 refuse a hot bran mash containing the foregoing. 

 Bran, especially in its moist state, is a laxative, 

 and of material service in assisting the action 

 of purgative medicine. Good bran is easily identi- 

 fied, the flakes being fairly large, leaving a floury 

 mark when rubbed in the palm of the hand, and 

 having a slight but pleasant odour. Some 

 samples of bran are only fit for poultices. 

 About 2 lbs. of bran is ample to form a bran 

 mash for a hunter. 



STRAW 



Reference has already been made to straw 

 when speaking of chaff, in which it can either be 

 cut up along with the hay, or given as straw 

 chaff only. If used, oat straw is the best for 

 such purposes. Whole straw is not much em- 

 ployed as a forage for hunters in work, but it 

 will do very well for two-year-olds as a sub- 

 stitute for hay, provided that it is of good 

 quality. It is much too bulky as a forage for 

 hunters, in fact, more so than hay. 



78 



