40 THE HORSE 



the form of chaff, though long hay is added to the 

 daily bill of fare in some stables. Maize usually 

 forms the principal portion of the food, as it is both 

 inexpensive and filling, and assists the animal in 

 keeping on his flesh ; but oats, on the other hand, 

 though not fattening, are, par excellence^ the food to 

 work upon, adding strength to the muscle and 

 stamina to the constitution. Peas or beans are to 

 be regarded as additional restoratives to the horse 

 in work, but should be given sparingly when the 

 animals are doing nothing. As may be imagined 

 even by the merest novice in the methods of feeding 

 horses, the appetites of different animals vary very 

 considerably, some doing themselves well upon lo 

 or 12 lbs. of oats a day, whilst others of the same 

 breed and height will require nearly half as much 

 again to keep them in their full possession of health 

 and strength. For a big hunter in hard work 15 or 

 16 lbs. of oats and about 10 lbs. of the best hay 

 procurable, 3 or 4 lbs. of which may be given with 

 the corn in the form of chaff, should do him well, 

 and the substitution of a couple of pounds of beans 

 for a similar weight of oats is a course to be 

 recommended. This class of horse should on no 

 account be given maize to eat, as it will affect his 

 condition and stamina, but a periodical bran mash 

 is to be recommended, and particularly after a hard 

 day's work, though some experienced persons prefer 

 boiled oats as being more sustaining to the animal. 

 Carrots, but not too many, will also be found bene- 

 ficial in cooling the blood, and, needless to add, these 

 are much enjoyed by them. Linseed mashes are 

 also recommended by many stud grooms, and others, 

 again, uphold the virtues of a mixed soft feed of 

 this article and bran. 



Of the public bodies one of the London tram- 

 way companies was amongst the most liberal in 

 their scale of diet, their allowance for each horse 



