The Intestines. 23 



It is a rule that all portions of greater solu- 

 bility iu the secretions, i.e., more digestible, first 

 pass out from the stomach in health. 



Fluids also pass rapidly. They are usually 

 carried to the caecum, a large gut situate about 

 twenty yards from the stomach in large horses, 

 twenty minutes being usually sufficient. 



These illustrations definitely explain why a 

 horse occupies so much time consuming food. 

 Put him into the stable after a day's work, and he 

 will be found eating the greater part of the 

 night. A small stomach, capable of effective and 

 rapid action, is quickly emptied of its contents, 

 and the desire for food, therefore, becomes almost 

 constant. 



We should gather from this also the absolute 

 necessity of a regular supply of food, and abolition 

 of long fasts and full racks and mangers when 

 the animal returns to the stable. 



THE INTESTINES. 



The intestines are of two kinds, small and 

 large. In the horse they occupy the greater 

 portion of the cavity of the abdomen, and 

 constitute the largest part of the alimentary 

 track. 



The whole length may be estimated at about 

 ninety feet, or ranging from twenty-six to thirty 

 yards. 



