174 LIGHT HORSES I BREEDS AND MANAGEMENT. 



to the other creatures which minister to our comfort, conveni- 

 ence, and pleasure. 



" In the first place, it is his strength and speed which 

 render him so valuable to man, and to ensure his developing 

 these qualities to the greatest advantage the food must be 

 different in quality to that given to ruminants ; while the 

 mode of feeding should also be adjusted to his anatomical 

 and physiological peculiarities. His stomach is small and 

 only capable of containing about three or four gallons of 

 fluid, whereas that of the ox may hold from twenty to twenty- 

 two gallons. 



"The horse must, therefore, receive food more frequently, 

 and, consequently, in smaller quantities at a time, than 

 ruminants, in order that he may digest properly, and without 

 injury to the stomach and other organs. 



" The chief or typical food of the horse, in this country 

 at any rate, is hay and oats, and of the two, perhaps, the hay 

 is more essential to maintain life and health under ordinary 

 circumstances, when unusual exertion is not demanded. 

 Horses can live altogether on hay provided they are not 

 called upon to do any, or at least much, labour, and it is 

 therefore designated the material for supplying the internal 

 or vital work of the body; but if the muscular system is 

 called upon for unwonted exertion, then more nutritive food, 

 in smaller bulk, must be given to enable the body to perform 

 what may be called external work. Horses can therefore 

 live and thrive upon hay or grass alone, and even do a 

 certain amount of slow work but then, a large quantity is 

 needed. For instance, for a moderate-sized horse from 

 eighteen to twenty pounds of hay, or even more, are needed 

 as essential diet that is, to perform the internal work of the 

 body for twenty-four hours. 



" So long as a horse has plenty of time to eat it, a hay 

 diet causes no inconvenience because of its bulk, but when 

 leisure is not allowed, or when he has to exert himself after 

 a sufficient meal of hay, then injury is likely to be done. 



