27 



army, but the importance of giving water 

 before feeding is not yet sufficiently recognised 

 in private stables. At least an hour-and-a-half 

 should elapse after a feed of grain before 

 water is given. The reason for this is that 

 otherwise the water is apt to wash the undi- 

 gested grain out of the stomach into the intes- 

 tines, where it swells and causes colic or 

 stoppage. 



A most necessary precaution when march- 

 ing with troops is to carry nose-bags in a 

 proportion of one to four horses for the 

 special j^urpose of watering the horses at 

 places where the water is hard for them to 

 get. Horses accustomed to be watered at a 

 trough or in a bucket drink slowly and pain- 

 fully from a shallow stream, and must be 

 given plenty of time. 



Horses standing in the open do not require 

 water early in the morning unless they have 

 been out early and it is a warm morning ; 

 9.30 a.m., or two hours after the sun is up, 

 is quite soon enough for first watering. 



