40 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



a thorough course of cropping before it is relaid in grass. 

 If the paddock or pasture, however, is only grazed upon at 

 intervals, this breaking up of the land need not be resorted to, 

 but a top dressing of some kind will prove beneficial ; while 

 scratching and rolling in the spring, if the area be not very 

 extensive, will favour the growth of succulent grass. For 

 young animals, and even for old ones, a good pasture generally 

 affords sufficient amount of nourishment ; but if there is not 

 sufficient grass, or if the animals are valuable, this should be 

 supplemented by an allowance of hay, or even corn, as 

 occasion demands. It is well to have a pond near for supply 

 of good water, if this cannot be regularly given ; or a large 

 trough or cistern placed in- a corner may be regularly filled. 

 It is also very advantageous to have a shed into which the 

 horses can retire during stormy weather, during the mid-day 

 heat, or to escape from the flies ; especially is this necessary 

 if there is no shade to be obtained from trees. 



If kept in the paddock or pasture during the winter, an 

 allowance of dry forage is indispensable such as hay, or 

 hay and corn, or straw-chaff mixed with corn and pulped 

 roots. 



THE STRAW-YARD. 



When a paddock or pasture cannot be made available, or 

 when circumstances require otherwise, young horses, those 

 which are resting, or those recovering from illness, are some- 

 times accommodated in a straw-yard ; indeed, accommodation of 

 paddock and straw-yard is not at all uncommon, especially for 

 rearing colts from one to three years old, as it is economical 

 and beneficial. Sufficient exercise and liberty are ensured to 

 promote growth, they can be more easily handled and sub- 

 mitted to restraint, while they are protected from the 

 inclemency of severe weather, and can be fed with dry food as 

 occasion may require. The straw-yard should be kept as dry 

 as possible, rotting manure not being allowed to lie in it, unless 



