312 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



of two trusses of hay to one of straw, has had the 

 effect of obviating this. For horses which are used 

 as hunters, the quantity of oats must be materially 

 increased, as affording a substantial meal of consider- 

 ably less bulk, and consequently does not distend the 

 stomach so as to press upon the lungs, and thereby 

 impede the process of breathing, as it will be seen 

 by an examination of our figures, i, 2, and 3 of Plate 

 IX, that these organs lie close to each other. It must 

 be understood that the same applies to the race-horse 

 as well as the hunter. 



Horses which are accustomed to bruised grain and 

 chaff, become so fond of it that they prefer it to the 

 oats or beans alone. We cannot too strongly impress 

 upon the owners of horses the danger of feeding them 

 on either grain or hay which has become musty, as 

 either are almost certain to induce disease ; and 

 although no particular complaint is manifested, the 

 horse is sure to fall off in condition. One great 

 advantage in manger-feeding is that the horse when 

 returning from a fatiguing journey or hard gallop, is 

 sooner enabled to fill his stomach and lie down. If 

 the rack is used, it takes from two to three hours to 

 eat his fill, whereas a little more than an hour will 

 suffice with bruised grain and chaff, which gives him 

 so much more additional time to rest, which is of vast 

 importance to such horses as are used in mail and 

 stage-coaches. 



When small farmers or others unfortunately possess 

 musty grain, the smell will to a considerable extent be 

 removed by kiln-drying it ; but in this process great 

 care must be taken not to overheat it, which renders 

 it unpalatable to the horse, and more heating in its 

 nature, producing an increased discharge of urine as 

 well as diseases of the skin, and is apt to induce 



