STABLE MANAGEMENT 



very much in need of refreshment at odd times, 

 and your horse has the same desires. In fact, if 

 there is one hour in the day when an animal 

 really needs water and never gets it it is 

 about ten o 'clock at night, when he has consumed 

 and digested an immense amount of dry prov- 

 ender, and when nature demands that he flush 

 his system copiously. It is astonishing what a 

 difference attention to this most important detail 

 will make in the condition of horses. Individual 

 preference must be carefully considered also. 

 Many are night feeders and will only eat heartily 

 at that time. Many shy "doers" require their 

 food in small quantities and at frequent periods ; 

 some do better if they see plainly in every direc- 

 tion and enjoy the association of their stable- 

 mates; other misanthropes prefer seclusion. If a 

 horse is a bad feeder he will generally drink pretty 

 well, and his nourishment may be given him in 

 liquid form. No animal will take on flesh or 

 hold it well unless he is a good and deep drinker, 

 and this most important characteristic of the 

 easily fattened steer is equally essential in the 

 horse. 



In shoeing we have vastly improved these 

 latter days, and all honor to the craft which so 



55 



