32 ON PEEDING HOUSES. 



wide significance. To those, however, who cannot devote the 

 necessary time to undergo the practical ordeal which this 

 involves, or who are otherwise inclined, certain things relating 

 to these matters may be learnt from the present treatise ; 

 which, as regards ordinary experience, may prove amply and 

 generally sufficient. 



The keep necessary to be afi'orded to a horse, will depend 

 upon a variety of circumstances, the nature and extent of 

 which, if fully stated, would occupy a volume. The kind of 

 horse is one thing, and the class of work he is required to 

 perform is another. Our remarks, however, will be limited to 

 the feeding and general management of hunters, hacks, and 

 harness horses. 



To enable the reader of the present work to understand 

 the importance of proper feeding, it will be as well for him to 

 understand, as far as possible, the principles upon which true 

 hvofienic rules are based. 



" Mere rules," says Combe, "may be apprehended and prac- 

 tised by ordinary minds ; but to understandings ignorant of 

 their foundations and sanctions in nature, their importance and 

 authority are far from being so evident as to carry with them a 

 deep sense of obligation." With the view set forth, and in the 

 spirit expressed in the above quotation, I shall attempt a brief 

 exposition of those principles upon which correct rules for the 

 dieting of horses naturally depend. And, firstly, it may be asked, 

 "What is FOOD ; what are its uses ; and why is it necessary ? 



The first part of the question, I shall dismiss in a very 

 brief manner ; while the answer to the second, will in a great 

 measure comprehend the answer to the third. 



What constitutes Food ? We shall the better understand 

 this question, if we consider the wants and the requirements of 

 the animal. 



