THE HORSE, HOW TO FEED, WATER AND GROOM. 139 



of the animal, temperature of the season, and of stables must be xjonsid- 

 ered. In the large omnibus stables where all the work is to be got out 

 of horses that they can endure, from ten to fourteen pounds of cut hay 

 per day are given, with from eighteen to twenty pounds of corn meal. 

 Mix into provender, and on it they vnW go from eighteen to twenty miles 

 each day. With this about three pounds of salt may be allowed each 

 i month. Some stable men do not feed nioic than one pound, arguing that 

 a large quantity produces profuse staliu.r ; others feed up to four. In 

 times of extra severe labor the cornmeal is increased by about thr^e 

 pounds. It would be better if the three pounds of meal where omitted 

 and one extra feed of six quarts of whole oats be substituted, and given 

 daily. The average hvery horse may be kept in good condition on twelve 

 pounds of hay and eight pounds of cornmeal daily, to be given at two 

 feeds with the addition of six quarts of oats at noon, eight pounds of hay 

 to be fed cut, with the meal, and four pounds from the manger. This 

 same feed would do for ordinary farm horses at usual work, or if the 

 grain is fed whole, five quarts of shelled corn, or its equivalent in ears, 

 and six quarts of oats, with what hay will be eaten should keep the ani- 

 mal in working condition. 



VI. How to Prepare the Food. 



In preparing chopped feed, half the hay to be used, or clean, bright, 

 long straw cut into about three-quarters to one inch lengths, should be 

 put into the mixing trough half an hour before it is to be mixed, and 

 thoroughly moistened. On this throw the meal, mill-feed, or whatever 

 article is to be used, and moisten it. Then cover with sufficient hay to 

 make the mess for the desired number of horses, weighing both hay and 

 meal. Let it stand until feeding time, when the whole should be worked 

 over and over until thoroughly mixed. If salt is given with the mess, 

 put in the required quantity for each horse, from one-quarter to half an 

 ounce per horse each feed. Many stablemen mix the mess half a day in 

 advance, but this we do not like. Horses, like men, like their food 

 fresh. An iron box is best for mixing, and it should be thoroughly 

 cleaned after each meal. 



Vn. How to Make Mashes, Gruel and Hay-tea. 



The ordinary sweet mash, as usually made, is to take four quarts ot 

 good bran, moisten it gradually with hot water, and then mix with what 

 boiling water will bring it up to the proper consistency for eating, cover- 

 ing it with a cloth and feeding either warm if the animal will eat it * « 



