92 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



the ling. To hit the happy mean is by no 

 means easy, but an experienced and observant 

 man manages to do so time after time. 



A horse may be a moderate doer without 

 being a dehcate feeder. The latter is the kind 

 of horse which should always be avoided and 

 which should be got rid of as soon as possible 

 under ordinary circumstances.^ But it sometimes 

 happens that a horse is a delicate feeder constitu- 

 tionally, and yet that he is such a good horse 

 that it is a pity to part with him. Such a horse, 

 it is scarcely necessary to sa^^ is a constant 

 source of anxiety to every one who has anything 

 to do with him. He should be given every- 

 thing that will tempt his appetite. I have 

 found green clover mixed with hay a good 

 thing, or when I could not get clover a 

 little grass. Mashes made of linseed gruel in 

 which the linseed is boiled till it is in a jellified 

 state are also excellent and may be given with 

 good effect three times a week. Or a feed of 

 boiled oats or boiled peas, or boiled oats and 

 peas mixed, may be given, instead of one of 

 the mashes. Sometimes a horse of this kind 

 will relish a little linseed cake amongst his corn, 

 and I have seen a delicate feeder eat mash sweet- 

 ened with treacle with great relish and thrive 

 on it. 



With a very obstinate case of delicate feeding 



^ Sometimes a horse may be a delicate feeder because of some 

 functional derangements. The veterinary surgeon should always be 

 consulted in anv cases of delicate feeding. In many he can provide 

 a remedy. 



