CHAP. vii. THE FEEDING OF HORSES. 451 



When horses require to be fed during work, grain should be chiefly 

 given, the bulky food being allowed at resting time as at night. Care 

 should be taken not to overfeed horses at any meal : and if the grain is 

 not mixed with chopped hay, then it should be given alone, and the hay 

 allowed afterwards. 



Horses should not be fed, if it is avoidable, immediately before going 

 to work, but sufficient time should be given for digestion to be well ad- 

 vanced before exertion is undergone. Food should be allowed during the 

 day at intervals of three or four hours, and long fasts ought to be avoided, 

 as well as hurried feeding. The nosebag system is an excellent one. 



The former leads to imperfect mastication and over-distension of the 

 stomach when food is offered, with consequent indigestion ; and the 

 latter has a like result. When a long fast is unavoidable, then a 

 quantity of warm gruel or a little mash should be given, to be followed 

 by the ordinary feed sh.or.tly afterwards. 



An important point in feeding is to apportion the feeds in such a 

 way that each will be consumed at the time it is given. 



Care is necessary, adds Dr. Fleming, in allowing water to horses. 

 It should never be given soon after feeding, but always before it, 

 especially if the food is grain. If the horse is very thirsty, the thirst 

 may be assuaged and the feed given a short time afterwards ; if any 

 more water is needed, it ought not to be offered within two or three 

 hours after feeding. When horses can always have access to water, 

 they drink less, and so run less risk of indigestion and colic than when 

 it is only offered at long intervals. It is, therefore, the best plan to 

 allow them to have water, like their food, frequently ; if properly 

 watered, they will not drink any more than is necessary for them. 

 While undergoing severe exertion, they should receive very little. 

 There are circumstances when it may be necessary to restrict an 

 unlimited supply of cold water, as when a horse is exhausted from 

 fatigue, has undergone prolonged abstinence, or when very cold, or 

 even excessively hot. In such cases, a small quantity only should be 

 allowed until the body is in a fit state to receive more ; though a 

 larger quantity may be given if it is tepid, or in the form of gruel. 



It should be unnecessary to add that water given to horses ought to 

 be clean and fresh. 



So much of what has been already said on the subject of soiling 

 cattle is applicable to the SUMMER FEEDING of horses, that but few 

 observations are requisite. The common modes are 1st, to turn them 

 out on pasture ; 2ndly, to feed them, in the field, on artificial grasses, 

 either cut or grazed ; and 3rdly, to soil them on green food, in the stable 

 or yard. Each method has its advocates ; and the choice must, in great 

 measure, depend upon the convenience, as well as the judgment, of the 

 farmer. 



The first method is, properly enough, adopted on farms that have a 

 large proportion of grass land, and are not within reach of a market for 

 hay. Horses thus kept are, perhaps, more healthy than in any other 

 way, if the herbage is abundant and good ; but one great disadvantage 

 attending it is the time lost every morning in getting them together. 



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