1 6 THE HORSE : ITS KEEP AND MANAGEMENT. 



one which runs ; only the latter requires more hay in 

 proportion to the size of the animal than a horse which 

 does the running, hay being to a horse what bread is to the 

 human being. Of course, one which is required for great 

 speed, should be fed in proportion to the amount of work 

 it has to do on good nutritious food, both corn and hay of 

 the best quality that can be obtained. It should always be 

 of a dry nature, or at any rate the greater part of it, when 

 speed is required, as the animal has to eat so much more 

 green food than dry to get the nutriment required. 

 A little green stuff is alright for horses which have 

 to trot steadily. Take for instance a thorough-bred 

 horse which has to run a race. The owner would not 

 think of giving such an animal a bundle of green tares, 

 clover, or even a feed on grass, when it is in training for the 

 Derby or any other important race. 



Horses which have to run very fast should have but 

 very little green stuff, they will do much better without any 

 at all before they have to run so fast. When they have so 

 much green food the stomach expands very much. If a 

 horse that is accustomed to running has been allowed to 

 lie out to grass for a time, in a fortnight or three weeks the 

 stomach will be from three to four inches larger round 

 than it was before the animal was put out. I do not say 

 this will be the case with every horse, especially where they 

 have been kept well, but it will be found so in most cases. 

 Now, it must not be supposed that I wish to rob the horses 

 of their green food. I am in favour of them having it in 

 the Spring and Summer, whenever it can be procured for 



