40 BEAIfS. 



ordinary, more of the corn is of course to be given. A large-sized 

 horse, or one excessively worked, will of necessity require a 

 larger quantity during the period named. It is common to 

 add a portion of chopped hay and a little water to the feed at 

 the time it is given. In using the above mixture, care must be 

 exercised in the first instance to have the crushed oats genuine ; 

 otherwise, through the nefarious tricks of the corn dealer, the 

 buver may possibly find himself the possessor of ground husks 

 destitute of meal. When, however, the oats are crushed at home, 

 it is the fault of the buyer if he is cheated. 



Beais'S. — Beans are considered by the majority of grooms 

 to be stronger corn than oats ; by which I suppose is meant 

 that beans contain more nutrition than the latter. Beans are 

 certainly specifically much heavier than oats, and this may 

 account for the difference which is to be observed when horses 

 are fed by measure rather than by weight. The best sample of 

 oats will rarely weigh ever forty-two pounds to the bushel, 

 while the same measure of good beans will weigh sixty-three 

 pounds ; a difference of one-third in favour of the latter. The 

 opinion of the more intelligent of our grooms, is to the effect, 

 that beans are more suitable for old than for young horses. 

 Thay are found to produce in young horses, rashes upon the 

 skin, cracks within the heels, and if given in very large quan- 

 tities, inflammation within the laminss of the feet. Horses 

 suddenly removed from a poor diet, and liberally fed with 

 beans, are almost certain to be attacked with either inflamma- 

 tion of the feet or of the skin. Some horses cannot do 

 with beans at all. Their use occasions disorder in almost 

 every way. Great care is therefore necessary in using them, 

 particularly as regards young horses, or those in a state 

 of poverty. The usual care must be exercised in the purchase. 

 The small sized beans are the best. They should at least be 



