FOOD AND FEEDING 79 



starvation, for he may be rendered poor by his work 

 exceeding his keep. 



If a horse is stinted to an allowance that keeps 

 him in tolerable condition with only a little walking 

 exercise, and is then put to work without an increase 

 of food, he will of course become thin ; but if not 

 given so much work as to exhaust his strength as 

 well as his flesh, he will be none the worse for itc 

 Increase his food, and he will be better for work 

 than before. 



Oats of good quality are the most nutritious food for 

 saddle-horses when given in proper quantities — say 

 3 quarters per day — provided his work is no more 

 than exercise ; but if the horse is kept to constant 

 hard work he is in no danger of being overfed if he 

 has as much as he can eat. 



Beans are excellent and stimulating for hard- 

 working horses. Here we may observe that the 

 small and plump bean is usually the best, by all 

 means, for such horses as are either lightly worked 

 or are required to go at speed, as they need more 

 water to digest them and swell in the stomach. 

 They may be allowed to animals that travel at a 

 moderate rate or such as are employed in draught 

 work. They are also good for coach and omnibus 

 horses, if given in small quantities. 



Water is usually given twice a day. Some, how- 

 ever, give it three times ; but this plan of watering 

 does not do so well for travelling as for draught 

 horses. Soft water is esteemed better than hard 

 spring water ; hence rivers and running streams, 

 or such springs as supply ponds, where the water 

 gets impregnated and softened by a loamy or chalky 

 soil, are better than hard pump-water. 



The quantity in this, as in food, must also be 

 regulated by circumstances, size of horse, etc. Some 

 horses will not drink immoderately, and may safely 



