98 FOOD. 



supply of tlie horses, from early in the spring till late 

 in the autumn. They should be cut just before they 

 begin to blossom, when they are young and full of 

 juice, and should never be given when rank and over- 

 grown. Each stable-boy should cut for his horse a 

 rubber-full or two every stable hour, so as to have 

 them quite cool and fresh. 



Depending on the constitutions of different horses, 

 and the quantity of green meat given them, so will 

 each horse become affected by its use. Such as may 

 have become stale from strong work, or abused from 

 country running, require the greatest quantity ; and 

 with a view to increase the action of their bowels and 

 kidneys as much as possible, their green meat should 

 be first given them alone — I mean, unmixed with hay. 

 There is not the danger in purging them with it as 

 with strong physic, although it has often, on those oc- 

 casions, all the advantages of the latter. It is their 

 natural food, and, as well as gently purging them, pro- 

 motes, to a great extent, the secretion of ui-ine, which 

 is seldom effected by physic. If they purge for a day 

 or two, they become a little light, as they would from 

 the use of physic ; but they do not become either 

 weak or faint, nor lose their appetite, which is often 

 the case with many of them, when pui'ged by too large 

 a quantity of aloes. The usual allowance of corn 

 may be given to all of them, at the time of their being 

 soiled, unless the groom is of opinion that from its 

 astringent property, and the quantity craving horses 

 eat, it may prevent the green meat (as it is termed) 



