356 



Care of the Colt in Training 



end of the meal the passage is slow and the digestion 

 in the stomach more perfect; hence it would seem 

 that the more nutritious foods should be fed toward 

 the end of the meal. Were this true, first of all, we 

 should water the colt, then feed the hay and lastly 

 the grain. On the other hand, it is stated that this 

 method of watering affects the appetite, and the 

 horse will not consume so much food as he otherwise 

 would. Again, it has been very clearly demonstrated 

 that if a horse is fed his grain first and then watered, 

 much of the food is carried by the water into the 

 intestines. From this it would seem that there are 

 theoretical objections, at least, to either method. 



The most successful practice in the order of supply- 

 ing food and water is to water the horse the first 

 thing in the morning, then feed the grain and lastly 

 the hay. Then water again as soon as the horse has 

 consumed his morning meal and before going to 

 work. At noon water both before and after feeding, 

 and at night water before feeding and then again in 

 about two hours after feeding, or just before bedding 

 the horse for the night. Colts thus managed will 

 never become so thirsty as to drink enough water 

 to affect their appetite materially. After they be- 

 come accustomed to this order they will not gorge 

 themselves before the meal, as they know they will 

 be watered again before going to work or before 

 being bedded at night. 



Sudden changes in the food should be avoided, 



