32 Olf FEEDING HOKSES. 



It is held as a rule, that no me can tell when a horse is pro- 

 perly groomed, except he can groom one himself; a statement I 

 ■believe to be true. " Leam to do tte work yourself, tlien you 

 •will know when it is properly done," is a proverbial axiom of 

 wide significance. To those, however, who cannot devote the 

 necessary time to undergo the practical ordeal which this 

 axiom involves, or who are otherwise inclined, certain things 

 relating to these matters may be learnt from the present 

 treatise; which, as regards ordinary experience, may prove 

 amply and generally sufficient. 



The keep necessary to be affi)rded to a horse, will depend 

 upon a variety of circumstances, the nature and extent of 

 which, if fully stated, would occupy a volume. The kiad of 

 horse is one thing, and the class of work he is required to 

 perform is another. Our remarks, however, will be limited to 

 the feeding and general management of hunters, hacks, and 

 harness horses. 



To enable the reader of the present work to understand 

 the importance of proper feeding, it will be as well for him to 

 understand, as far as possible, the principles upon which true 

 hygienic rules are based. 



" Mere rules," says Combe, " may be apprehended and prac- 

 tised by ordinary minds ; but to understandings ignorant of 

 their foundations and sanctions in nature, their importance and 

 authority are far from being so evident as to carry with them a 

 deep sense of obligation." "With the view set forth, and in the 

 spirit expressed in the above quotation, I shall attempt a brief 

 exposition of those principles upon which correct rules for the 

 dieting of horses naturally depend. 



And firstly, it may be asked. What is Food ? What are its 

 uses ? and, Why is it necessary ? The first part of the ques- 

 tion I shall dismiss in a very brief manner ; while the answer 



