CLOVER HAY. 37 



allowed in addition. Some horses, having the same allowance 

 of corn as others, will require more hay. Some, again, not only 

 consume more hay than others, but more food of every kind. 

 "Where the horse is of an ordinary size, say fifteen hands one or 

 two inches high, the work not being severe, and the allowance 

 of corn moderate, — such an animal may perhaps do with twelve 

 or fourteen pounds of hay per day. There are others who will 

 eat double this quantity, and perhaps after all not look so well 

 as the most sparing eater. It is impossible to lay down 

 absolute rules with regard to the quantity of food which a horse 

 should have, — so much depending upon its size, and the nature 

 of the work to be performed. 



Clover Hat. — Clover hav is a food which is eaten mth 

 avidity by the majority of horses. It is not, however, adapted 

 for constant use to the same animal, A preferable method is 

 to mix it with ordinary grass hay ; or, that a portion should be 

 given occasionally. Great care is necessary in the purchase of 

 clover hay. From its open coarse nature it favours the col- 

 lection of dust within the mass. Beyond this, great difficulty 

 is experienced in stacking it, so that strict attention should 

 always be paid to its condition. Good clover hay is known by 

 its clear dark brown colour, its freedom from dust and mould, 

 and the fragrance of its smell. Hay, and in fact cereal food 

 of any kind, is not good, if grown near to a large manufac- 

 turing town. Soot, smoke, and other deleterious matters, 

 which^are constantly falling from the atmosphere, so injures 

 vegetation that it is rendered unfit for food. 



Oats. — Oats are given to horses whole, crushed, and 

 ground. The crushed state is the preferable one for horses 

 which are greedy feeders, and those which bolt their corn. 

 The best oats weigh about three stones, or from forty to forty- 

 two pounds per bushel. Good oats are readily distinguished 



