Food, Grooming, Water, Clipping 259 



top, of course, might answer all requirements very 

 satisfactorily. 



In some instances sawdust is used for litter, and 

 serves the purpose of absorbing moisture very well, 

 provided it is itself dry. As a rule, it is not as useful 

 as straw or peat-moss, and its use is not advisable 

 except w^here it is at hand, and for horses on whose 

 appearance little stress is laid. 



No animal can fatten and thrive, none can eat 

 well and prove really rugged and healthy, if he is 

 not a frequent and a deep drinker. This essential in 

 the fattening steer, bog, or sheep is vitally necessary 

 to the horse ; and he who is dainty about his drink, 

 or who takes it in small quantities, is delicate some- 

 where in his make-up, as hard work will prove. The 

 old drovers would always select, as likely to fatten 

 quickly, the cattle which drank and returned again 

 to the trough — let their bodily condition be at the 

 time what it might. The amount of fluid consumed, 

 even though they are all eating the same amount of 

 dry food, will vary greatly among individuals, and 

 watering with buckets, instead of from a trough, 



