CHAPTER IY. 



FEEDING AND GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 



THE subject of food and feeding of horses is necessarily one 

 of great importance, from an economical and utilitarian point 

 of view, and constantly presses itself upon the attention of the 

 horse-owner and attendant, the rider or driver. 



In a natural condition, the food of the horse is grass in a 

 more or less ripe or growing state ; and there can be no doubt 

 that upon this diet the animal is maintained in the healthiest 

 form, and is least liable to diseases especially those of a 

 feverish or inflammatory kind ; while he can perform a cer- 

 tain amount of slow labour, the extent of this depending 

 much upon the kind of grass, its stage of growth, the climate, 

 and other circumstances. 



But when stabled, treated artificially, required to undergo 

 severe or long-continued exertion, and to exhibit qualities and 

 resources which could not be developed in the horse roaming 

 at large on the grassy plain, then food of a more concentrated 

 and nutritious quality is demanded, and this has to be given 

 in a regular and systematic manner, in quantity proportionate 

 to the demands made upon the system, and to the require- 

 ments of health. In this state, also, regard must be paid to 

 individual peculiarity, age, condition, season, and some other 

 points. Some horses, like men, require more food to enable 

 them to accomplish a certain amount of work than others; 

 young growing animals must have materials for their develop- 



