34 Oir FEEDING HORSES. 



The quantity of these materials consumed by oxygen in the 

 manner stated varies to a considerable extent. If the food 

 be rich and abundant, and the work of the animal dispropor- 

 tionately low, the carbonaceous elements not consumed are 

 deposited; or in other words, the animal becomes what is 

 designated fat. When, however, the food is poor, or in 

 quantity not too abundant for the labour performed, the con- 

 stituents named are for the most part consumed, in addition to 

 the waste substances of the body. 



Food, then, to be thoroughly suitable to the animal, must 

 possess a twofold capability. It must contain elements to 

 supply the waste of the body generally ; that is, the waste of 

 such structures as muscle, brain, bone, skin, and other textures 

 which enter into the formation of the animal ; and it must 

 also contain carbonaceous elements, or elements capable of 

 uniting with oxygen, so that heat may be generated, and the 

 temperature of the organism maintained. The food usually 

 given to the horse possesses this double capability ; hence we 

 at once perceive that it should fulfil this twofold condition. In 

 addition it may be remarked, that food for horses should at aU 

 times be of the best quality, and the animal continually live ia a 

 pure atmosphere. If the food be not good, neither wiU the 

 various structures composing the body be sound or good ; while 

 if the animal be kept in a vitiated atmosphere, as for instance, 

 in a badly ventilated stable, blood cannot be made of the 

 required purity, nor can the animal heat be generated so well 

 or so vigorously as desirable. Pure food supplied in abun- 

 dance, implies purity and abundance of blood ; and as a general 

 physiological truth, such purity and abundance of blood may 

 be held to promote the great disiderata, viz., increased vital 

 power, and additional physical vigour to the horse. 



