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CHAPTER VI. 



Practical Rules for Feeding and Watering Horses. 



FKOM the theoretical considerations detailed in the two 

 preceding chapters, and from the results of experience, 

 we may draw the following conclusions : 



1. The horse's corn should be given dry ; except 

 when the grain such as linseed, kulthee, &c. is too hard, 

 in its natural condition, to be properly masticated ; 

 when, from old age and other causes, the animal's 

 powers of chewing are impaired ; and when the ap- 

 petite has to be humoured in sickness. 



The only way I can account for the practice now 

 happily falling into disuse of steeping grain in water, 

 before giving it to the horse, is that it is done with 

 the idea of causing the grain to swell, as much as 

 possible, before entering the stomach, in order that it 

 may not do so after arriving there, especially, on the 

 eventuality of the animal being subsequently sup- 

 plied with water. Those who adopt such a precau- 

 tion, entirely ignore the fact that it is the evolution 

 of gas resulting from the decomposition of the food 

 which produces flatulent colic and rupture of the 

 stomach, and not any swelling of the grain, which, if 

 it be given dry as we have previously seen will become 

 saturated with a greater quantity of saliva than that of 

 its own bulk, before it even reaches the stomach. The 



