HAT. — EICE. 115 



steep the bran, and at tlie same time to retain its aroma. The 

 above practice ought to be pursued when boiled barley, or oats, 

 or linseed, is given in combination with the bran. 



Hay. — Hay, as a food for healthy horses, I have already 

 treated upon at page 35. The giving of it as an article of 

 diet to a horse when ill, will depend upon circumstances. 

 It will generally prove injurious if given to a patient affected 

 with Epidemic Catarrh, more especially if the disease be 

 associated with that low typhoid state of the system, so common 

 in this form of disease; The following symptoms are amongst 

 the most prominent which forbid its use. It should not be 

 given when the pulse is feeble, quick, and irritable, — when 

 the digestive organs are in a foul state, which state may be 

 recognised by the presence of a soapy looking tongue, attended 

 with clamminess, and bad smell of the mouth, and rapid 

 variation of the temperature of the body, and when the nasal 

 membranes are pallid, or of a dull leaden colour ; all these are 

 symptoms which forbid hay being allowed, and yet it is not 

 improbable that a patient so affected, will prefer it to any other 

 kind of food offered. "When hay is allowed to a diseased animal, 

 it should be selected with care, and sparingly given. 



!RiCE. — Eice is an excellent article of diet for sick horses. 

 It should be cooked and prepared as though intended for human 

 beings. I always direct it to be stewed in water, and after- 

 wards mixed with milk, and slightly sweetened with sugar. I 

 only prescribe it for well bred horses when ill, and occasionally 

 for delicate feeders. Coarse bred and robust horses do not 

 require such a refined food. 



If a groom be not practically acquainted with the best 

 modes of preparing rice, he must consult the cook of the 

 establishment, who, without doubt, will be able to teach him 

 more upon the matter than I profess to know about it. 



