42 THE HORSE 



checked by the application of the muzzle or substi- 

 tuting peat moss or some other litter for the straw. 

 Under no circumstances should any portion of a 

 feed that is left over by the horse be permitted to 

 remain in the manger, as it soon becomes fouled by 

 their breath and totally unfit for consumption ; so if 

 you have a shy doer to contend with, and find it 

 possible to manage it, the best thing to do is to 

 reduce the quantity of grain and chaff in each feed, 

 but give him it more frequently^, say half a dozen 

 times a day, so that he may be tempted into eating 

 his full allowance, and so avoid losing flesh and 

 strength. 



Opinions differ a good deal regarding the watering 

 of horses, some persons preferring that a supply 

 should always be in every stall, whilst others advocate 

 a drink being given when the horses come in from 

 work, or before food, but never after the manger is 

 cleared. No horse, however, should be allowed to 

 drink cold water when he is much heated. If he is 

 warm, give it him chilled^ and be careful not to let 

 him drink any which has stood in the stable all 

 night, and which has thus become contaminated by 

 the impurities springing from the exhalations of the 

 horses; neither should he be given water which is 

 drawn from a source to which drainage can possibly 

 have access. If an animal is exhausted by the heat 

 of summer, a double handful of oatmeal given in 

 half a pailful of water will refresh him greatly ; and 

 if he comes in fagged by a hard day's work in 

 autumn or winter, a drink of gruel will prove a very 

 welcome and wholesome draught. 



