119 

 contented without their animals are going at speed. 

 For these horses, old oats in liberal quantities, with a 

 moderate allowance of hay, is best. Chansins the food 

 of horses is found very beneficial to some ; others, again, 

 do not thrive well on a change, any change being very 

 apt to scour. 



In the spring, when horses cannot be turned to 

 grass, it is peculiarly beneficial to soil them ; that is, 

 to alloAv them green food in the stable ; but great 

 care is necessary in giving it fresh every day, or at far- 

 thest each other day. It should never likewise be 

 put up in large quantities, which gives it a disposition 

 to ferment, and turn sour. 



WATERING 



Of horses is a part of their dieting that is not of 

 trifling import. All horses prefer soft water, and it 

 is infinitely more wholesome: so partial are they to 

 it, that a muddy chalky pond is an irresistible stimulus 

 to every horse. It is not a good custom to warm 

 water generally for horses ; but it is a much Avorse 

 custom to give them water just from a pump or well; 

 and this becomes more pernicious in suninier, when 

 well water is, comparatively, colder than in winter, 

 and likewise when a horse is heated by exercise. As 

 some horses drink quicker than others, it is more 

 proper to give them their, water in the stable than at a 

 pond, where they often drink inmioderately. 



The quantity given should be regulated by the ex- 

 ercise and otlier circumstances. In summer, and when 

 the exercise has been severe, more is necessary. In 

 common cases, a large horse requires rather more than 

 half a pail full, and that three times a day : at night 

 a full pail should be allowed. It is erroneous to sup- 



