106 A TREATISE ON HORSE-BREEDING. 



of exercise in any given case. Some horsemen 

 recommend feeding three and others four times 

 a day; but in either case no more should ever 

 be given than will be promptly eaten up clean. 

 If any food should be left in the box it should 

 be at once removed and the quantity at the 

 next time of feeding should be reduced accord- 

 ingly. As a rule, it will be safe to feed as 

 much as the horse will eat with apparent rel- 

 ish; and then, with plenty of exercise, he will 

 not become overloaded with fat. The hay, as 

 well as the grain feed, should be sound and free 

 from mould and dust, and the stall should be 

 kept clean, well lighted and perfectly venti- 

 lated. 



The amount of exercise to be given will vary 

 somewhat with the condition and habit of the 

 horse. If he be thin in flesh, and it is thought 

 best to fatten him up, the exercise should be 

 lighter than it otherwise would be; and, on the 

 other hand, if there is a tendency to become 

 too fat this may be corrected by increasing the 

 amount of exercise that is given. Draft horses 

 should rarely be led or driven faster than a 

 walk in taking their exercise, and they will 

 require much less of it than the roadster or 

 the running horse a moderate "jog" daily will 

 benefit them. I am clearly of the opinion that 

 in no one particular is there more faulty man- 

 agement on the part of lazy grooms and stable 



