INTRODUCTION. 1 1 



linseed or some sucli demulcent should be mixed with the oats; and it is 

 as well to bruise the oats, because their ends are liable to cause irritation 

 on an over-sensitive intestinal lining. Horses disposed to scour should 

 be stinted of their water before going to work. Some horses will scour 

 unless a little hay is given to them in the morning before they are 

 watered. 



The sense of smell, always acute in horses, is greatly increased in most 

 diseases. Medicines which have strong smells cannot therefore be com- 

 monly administered in drinking water or mashes. Most horses will refuse 

 them. 



The Appetite of a sick horse is often very capricious, and during the 

 height of a fever is generally entirely lost. It is of no use to try to force 

 it to eat; place a variety of food before it and in small quantities at a 

 time, always removing whatever is left, before placing another portion 

 before it. This should be particularly seen to in the case of mashes or 

 wetted food of any kind, which is sure to become sour and offensive, 

 even to a well horse. 



Delicate Feeders. — Both care and skill are needed in regulating 

 the diet and tempting the appetite of delicate feeders. Some will reject 

 their food altogether, if it is given them in large quantities; whilst 

 they will eat it, if only a small quantity is offered at a time. Others 

 again will not feed, unless they are allowed frequently to moisten their 

 mouths with water, whilst eating. Water should be kept constantly be- 

 fore such animals. Others again, apparently of a nervous or timid dis- 

 position, will not feed, unless there is a spare stall between them and the 

 next horse. Many horses feed very slowly, and are consequently robbed, 

 when possible, of half their food by their more voracious neighbors. A 

 little linseed boiled to a jelly and mixed with the oats will induce 

 others to eat more freely. Hay slightly damped and sprinkled with 

 salt is palatable to some horses, who will reject it when dry. A pretty 

 frequent change of food is acceptable to some delicate feeders. A little 

 wet bran with the oats is grateful for a time to some horses. Some 

 horses seem to tire of oats and Avill take half a day to eat four quarts; 

 such will often relish and consume at once the same quantity of fine 

 feed. For others carrots or green foliage may be substituted for hay. 



Tonics no doubt increase the appetite, but should be administered 

 always with discretion. 



Mashes are exceedingly useful in feeding sick horses, but they should 



