438 TFTR H0R8K. 



which it must be observed a vast portion passes off from the 

 animal without being de])osited. By this calcuhition it appears 

 that if a horse consume daily four feeds of oats and ten pounds 

 of hay, the nutriment which he derives will be equivalent to 

 about one pound eleven ounces of muscle, and thirteen and a 

 half pounds of superfluous matter, which, exclusively of water, 

 nearly approximates the exhaustion of the system by perspira- 

 tion and the various evacuations. 



Superficial judges of horses do not mark the difference be- 

 -tween the appearance of a fat and of a muscular-formed animal. 

 If the bones are covered, the points tilled out, and the general 

 contour looks pleasing to the eye, they conceive that every re- 

 quisite is accomplished. A more fallacious impression cannot 

 exist. A horse of very moderate pretensions, if in perfect con- 

 dition, will prove himself infinitely superior in the quality of 

 endui-ance or capability to perform work, than one of a higher 

 character which is not in condition. If two horses are ridden 

 side by side, at the moderate pace of seven or eight miles in 

 the hour, on a warm day in the summer, one of which has been 

 taken out of a grass field, and the other fed on hay and corn, the 

 difference will be very soon detected. The grass-fed horse will 

 perspire profusely, yet the other will be cool and dry. This 

 propensity to perspire likewise proves that the system of the 

 former is replete with adipose deposit, and fluids destined to 

 produce that substance an unnecessary encumbrance, and in 

 such quantities opposed to freedom of action. 



Under an impression that an abundance of luxuriant grass 

 will increase the flow of milk, it is frequently given to brood 

 mares, but, if it have the effect of producing relaxation, it is ex- 

 ceedingly prejudicial. A moderate portion of good milk is far 

 preferable to that which is weak and poor. Thoroughbred 

 mares are not unfrequently deficient in their lacteal secretions, 

 more so than those of a common description. It is obviously- 

 necessary that either class should be supplied with good and 

 nutritions food, for the purpose of augmenting it when insuffi- 

 cient, but the nature of the food requires to be regulated by the 

 constitution of the individual. 



