20 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA 



bedding is the tendency to eat it which some horses have, 

 especially if it is sea-sand. Its consumption causes colic, 

 and sometimes death. 



Tan is an excellent material to put down in a loose 

 box, for a horse that is at all inclined to inflammation 

 in the feet, provided that the syce is careful to remove 

 the wet portions immediately they become tainted. When 

 tan is used as a bedding, the feet of the horse should be 

 picked out at least four times a day, because the retention 

 of tan in the feet readily causes thrush. 



Mangers. — Many years ago. Prof. Coleman directed, 

 and with reason, that the feeding-trough should be placed 

 on the ground, as that arrangement makes the horse 

 assume the natural position in which he was intended 

 to feed. I advocate this practice, because it obliges the 

 animal to eat much slower than he would do were the 

 manger in the usual position; hence he will masticate 

 his food more thoroughly. To carry out this principle 

 still further, I would advise the use of a broad feeding- 

 box, in which the grain should be spread in a compara- 

 tively thin layer. Some horses, from infirmity, etc., will 

 require the manger to be slightly raised, say a foot from 

 the ground. 



Sheets may be used with advantage instead of mangers. 

 They may be made of sacking {toi), and about a square 

 yard in size. They are laid on the ground, and the grain 

 is spread over them. They cost little, are easily cleaned, 

 and can be packed up in a small compass. I have always 

 employed them with my own horses in India. 



Nosebags. — These articles should never be used, 

 except when a proper manger is not obtainable, as on 



