276 COAfPENDIUM OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



be increased, or a certain proportion of beans 

 may be added ; but on no occasion should the 

 quantity of hay be increased for horses of this 

 description. I think there would be no dan- 

 ger, and perhaps great advantage, in allowing 

 horses that work hard, either in hunting, 

 posting, or in mail or stage-coaches, an un- 

 limited quantity of good oats, witli a moderate 

 proportion of beans, provided it be given at 

 several times:, so that they may not load their 

 stomachs, and injure the digestive power. If 

 any other food be given with the oats and 

 beans, which however appears needless, it 

 .should consist of clover-hay, x:ut like chaff, 

 and a small quantity of fresh bran : the 

 former, if not cut too short, will make him 

 Tuasticate his food more perfectly, and cause 

 it to be digested more easily : but wht:n a horse 

 iias any kind ,of cough, or is imperfect in his 

 wind, neither cut hay, chaff, nor bran, should 

 be given, as they are apt to irritate the throat, 

 and excite coughing; and it is necessary also 

 in this case to sift the oats, and shake the 

 hay, so as to free them from dust, as this 

 will often occasion a violent cough for a, time, 

 and aggravate the oi'iginal complaint. This. 

 will be moire effectual;, if the oats and hay be 



