THE HORSE 135 



change to their natural diet have a good action on 

 the digestive organs, but their feet also benefit. 

 The temporary loss of "hard" condition is of 

 small consequence when compared with the gain 

 in health which results. Every horse-owner is 

 not, however, in a position to be able to throw liis 

 animals out of work while they indulge in a 

 well-earned holiday, and to these it is suggested 

 that they should turn their horses out at night 

 all thi^ough the summer, giving then* usual corn 

 ration but no hay during the day, and working 

 them as usual. By this method no loss of condi- 

 tion will ensue, and the horses will be found to 

 work as well as when kept entirely stabled. The 

 change should be made gradually, and the animals 

 turned out for an hour or two at first only. Also 

 before bringing them in for the Avinter their hay 

 ration should be begun, and daily increased for a 

 week or two before bringing them in altogether. 

 Horses may run out at night from about the first 

 week in May until well on into September. 



It is not advised, under any circumstances, to 

 turn horses out during the daytime in summer as 

 is so often done by the inconsiderate owner, unless 

 the animal has its natural mane and tail. The 

 cruelty of turning out a docked (and hogged) horse 



