126 THE HORSE 



sawdust because of its slightly antiseptic prop- 

 erties, which they consider beneficial to the 

 horse's feet. When stra^Y is scarce there is no 

 reason it should not be used as a substitute, pro- 

 vided all the drains are carefully stopped up. For 

 horses which eat their beds, some substitute for 

 straw has to be provided, and we should prefer 

 sawdust. The latter is only to be recommended 

 if the o\vner is unusuall}^ favorably situated for 

 obtaining it easily and cheaply. About 100 lbs. 

 per week will be required, and the sawdust should 

 be entirely renewed every week. Grooms will 

 generally raise objections to the use of sawdust, 

 because it is apt to make the stable and the horse 

 very dusty, and consequently their work is in- 

 creased. 



Of the various straws, wheat is, in every re- 

 spect, the most suitable for bedding. Oat straw 

 is too expensive, and also few horses will be able 

 to resist the temptation of eating it. Barley 

 straw should never be used, as the " 3.vms " get 

 into the horse's coat, cause intense irritation, and 

 subsequently lead to a skin eruption. All 

 '' bearded " straws are open to the same objection. 

 Therefore we are perforce reduced to common 

 wheat straw, which varies in price, according to 



