CLOTEE HAT — OATS. 37 



The quantity of hay which a horse may require during a 

 period of twenty-four hours, wiE depend upon circumstances ; 

 such as the size of the animal, and the corn which may be 

 allowed in addition. Some horses, having the same allowance 

 of corn as others,^will require more hay. Some again, not only 

 consume more hay than others, but more food of erery kind. 

 Where the horse is of an ordinary size (say fifteen hands one or 

 two inches high), the work not being severe, and the allowance 

 of com moderate, — such an animal may perhaps do with twelve 

 or fourteen pounds of hay per day. There are others which 

 will eat double this quantity, and perhaps after all not look so 

 well as the most sparing eater. It is impossible to lay down 

 absolute rules with regard to the quantity of food which a 

 horse should have — so much depending upon its size, and the 

 nature of the work to be performed. 



Clover Hay. — Clover Hay is a food which is eaten with 

 avidity by the majority of horses. It is not, however, adapted 

 for constant use to the same animal. A preferable method is 

 to mis it with ordinary grass hay ; or, that a portion should be 

 given occasionally. Great care is necessary in the purchase of 

 clover hay. IVom its open coarse fibre it favours the collection 

 of dust within the mass. In addition to this, great difficulty 

 is experienced in stacking it, so that strict attention should 

 always be paid to its condition. Grood clover hay is known by 

 its clear dark brown colour, its freedom from dust and mould, 

 and the fragrance of its smell. Hay, and in fact cereal food 

 of any kind, is not good, if grown near to a large manufac- 

 turing town. Soot, smoke, and other deleterious matters, 

 which are constantly falling from the atmosphere, so injures 

 vegetation that it is rendered unfit for food. 



Oats. — Oats are given to horses whole, crushed, or ground. 

 The crushed state is the preferable one for horses which are 



