462 THE HORSE. 



Until very lately (previoDsly to 1840) the allowance of troop 

 horses in the French army consisted for the reserve cavalry of : 



Hay nibs. —Hay 11 lbs. 



Oats 8 =- Ditto 12 



Straw. 11 =-Ditto 2^ 



Total allowance 26* 



For the cavalry of the line : 



Hay 8.8 lbs. -= Hay 8.8 lbs. 



Oats 7.6 =- Ditto 11.5 



Straw 11 =Ditto 2.T 



Total allowance 28.0 



For the light cavalry : 



Hay 8.81b8.-=Hay 8.8 lbs. 



OatB 6.6 — Ditto 10.1 



Straw 11 =Ditto 2.7 



Total allowance. 21'6 



Influenced by the consideration of the frequent indifferent quality 

 of hay, and its injurious effect upon the health of the horse, it was 

 decided in 1841 to replace a portion of the hay ration by a larger 

 quantity of oats, an article much less liable to be adulterated, or to 

 be indifferent in quality. The allowance now consisted for the re- 

 serve cavalry of: 



lbs. lbs. 



Hay 1.8 =" Hay 8.8 



Oats. 9.2= Ditto 14.2 



Straw 11 =Ditto 2.7 



Total allowance 25.7 



For the cavalry of the line : 



lbs. lbs. 



Hay 6.6 —Hay 6.6 



Oats 8.8— Ditto 18.5 



Straw 11 —Ditto 2.7 



Total allowance 22.8 



For the light cavalry : 



lbs. lbs. 



Hay 6.6— Hay , 6.« 



Oats 8.8— Ditto 12.8 



Straw 11 —Ditto 2.7 



Total allowance 22.1 



From what precedes, it appears that the substitution of oats for 

 hay was made upon a calculation which squares well with the theo- 

 retical inferences in regard to the relative nutritive powers of these 

 two articles. 



The allowance to the horse ought to be distributed into three por- 

 tions, constituting as many meals, and put before him in the morning 

 before going to work, in the middle of the day, and in the evening ; 

 he is generally watered at meal times. It is also highly advantage- 

 ous to the health of the horse that he be made to work with a cer- 

 tain regularity. Our horses at Bechelbronn, upon an allowance 

 equivalent to 33 lbs. of hay, work from 8 to 10 hours a day, having 

 an hour's rest at midday. 



