20 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



do, were the manger in the usual position ; hence, he 

 will masticate his food more thoroughly. To carry out 

 this principle 'still further, I would advise the use ot 

 a broad feeding-box, in which the grain should be 

 spread in a comparatively thin layer. Some horses, 

 from infirmity, &c., will require the manger to be 

 slightly raised, say a foot from the ground. 



Sheets may be used with advantage instead of 

 mangers. They may be made of sacking (tat), and 

 about a square yard in size. They are laid on the 

 ground, and the grain is spread over them. They cost 

 little, are easily cleaned, and can be packed up in a 

 small compass. I have always employed them with 

 my own horses in India. 



Nosebags. These articles should never be used, 

 except when a proper manger is not obtainable, as on 

 the march, &c. ; because they are uncomfortable to the 

 horse, who, with one on, is apt to bolt his food or 

 chuck it out ; and he cannot help tainting his corn 

 with his breath and rejected saliva. Besides this, it is 

 difficult to keep nosebags clean and sweet. When 

 used, they should be made of canvas or sacking, and 

 not of leather ; should be deep, not too wide ; and 

 should narrow off to the bottom, so as to allow the 

 animal, towards the end of his feed, to readily pick up 

 the remaining grains of corn without having to chuck 

 the bag up. 



A common plan for preventing a horse from throw- 

 ing corn out of his nosebag, is to tie a string at the 

 place where either end of the head-strap is fixed to the 

 bag, and then attach it just above one of the animal's 

 knees, at such a length that he cannot throw up his head. 



