PREPAEATION OF FOOD. 67 



a suitable nature. The instinctive selection of food is 

 well seen in the case of men who have to work hard, 

 such as navvies and sailors ; for they will eat, with 

 benefit, a quantity of animal food and fat, from which 

 a sedentary person will turn with loathing. 



Influence of an artificial state of Life. The 

 horse is intended by nature to travel considerable dis- 

 tances when grazing ; and his natural food is one of 

 large bulk, and containing a comparatively small amount 

 of nourishment ; his digestive organs being specially 

 adapted for its consumption. The requirements of 

 civilization, however, interfere most materially with 

 these conditions. At times, long protracted rest 

 deprives the animal of the exercise which is essential 

 to his health, and which he, in a state of nature, would 

 be obliged to take in the pursuit of food. On the 

 other hand, in order to develop his physical system to 

 its utmost extent, he is supplied with forage of a far 

 more concentrated form than he was naturally intended 

 to consume. Hence, being unable to trust to the 

 animal's appetite alone as a sure guide in the selection 

 of food, in all cases, we must regulate it according to 

 the indications afforded us by the study of the anatomy 

 and functions of his system. 



Preparation of Food. Oats, gram, Indian corn, 

 barley, wheat, and rice in husk (Hind, dhan) should 

 be bruised or broken before being given to the horse, in 

 order to oblige him to masticate them properly, so that 

 the grain may become thoroughly saturated with saliva. 

 If given in a whole state, it is liable to be swallowed, 

 as soon as its outer surface becomes moistened. 



Heat, whether by the process of boiling or parching 



