138 ILLUSTIJiriSD STOCK DOCTOR. 



effered before feeding, and never given in large drafts immediately after 

 feeding ; two to four quarts may be given with benefit immediately aftei 

 dry feed, to properly moisten the stomach, and it may be freel}^ given in 

 two or three hours after feeding. When driving, water should be offered, 

 especially in hot weather, at every stop, but only a few quarts should be 

 taken at a time, for a heated horse, like a heated man, will take more 

 than is good for him. Upon stopping, wash the horse's mouth with a 

 tponge soaked in water, and let him swallow each time two or three light 

 fiips, just enough to moisten the throat, and upon starting give him four 

 to six quarts each as the occasion seems to demand. Under no circum-. 

 stances allow a heated horse to drink heartily. Farm teams and slow 

 draft horses, at ordinary labor, may be allowed what they will naturally 

 drink, but when heated the same rule must be observed as with hard 

 driven horses. With these simple rules kept in view any intelligent owner 

 or driver may keep his team fresh and without danger. 



V. Kinds and Quantities of Food to be Given. 



We have already spoken of the proper food to be given under ordinary 

 circumstances ; they are sound, whole grain, and bright, clean hay. Cer' 

 tain classes of horses, as omnibus horses, stage horses, car horses, and 

 the draft horses of large mercantile firms in cities, are generally feci 

 ground feed and cut hay. When the hours of feeding and rest may be 

 estimated with accuracy, this is on the whole as conducive to the health 

 of the animal as may be, when the economy of such feeding is considered, 

 especially when we remember that in large cities a regular veterinary sur- 

 geon is employed, who visits the stables regularly to look after the well- 

 being of the horses, and also where the superintendents and foremen are 

 supposed to be experts. 



On the farm, and in the stables of road-driving horsemen, and where 

 carriage horses are kept, cut feed may very properly and economically 

 form from one-third to one-half of the daily food given. When only one 

 feed is given it should be in the morning ; when two are given, they 

 Bhould be the morning and evening feeds. 



As to the quantity to be given, no definite rule can be laid down. The 

 'horse must have a quantity fully sufficient to keep him well up to his 

 work. Hard working horses may, if regularly fed, have what grain and 

 bay they will eat clean, and in this case there is no better. judge than the 

 animal itself, except in the case of ravenous gluttons, sometimes found 

 among horses as in the human family. Ela])orate rules have been laid 

 down by theorists, including a per cent, of grain according to the weight 

 «f the animal. In practice they will not work, since the labor, conditiou 



