38 OATS. 



greedy feeders, and those which bolt their com. The best oats 

 weigh about three stones, or from forty to forty-two pounds per 

 bushel. Good oats are readily distinguished by their thinness 

 of husk, their comparative weight, the clean colour of the outer 

 husk, their dryness, their freedom from dust, and sweetness of 

 smell. Bad oats, if given to horses, will prove injurious ia 

 many ways ; being productive of diabetes, unsoundness of 

 wind, and general debility. They are known by their lightness 

 and duUness of colour, a peculiar soft, damp feel, and their 

 musty smeU. 



The quantity of oats necessary for the daily support of a 

 horse will depend upon circumstances. Some horses wUl per- 

 form a greater amount of labour than others with one-third 

 less com. Horses that eat inordinately are not always the best 

 to get through work. Horses severely laboured require a liberal 

 allowance of corn : they should have at least from thirteen to 

 fifteen pounds weight of corn per day. Cab horses in well- 

 regulated establishments are each allowed daily from fifteen to 

 eighteen pounds weight. Hunters in fuU work should average 

 about the same, including beans. The oats given to hunters 

 are usually supplied in a quartern measure. A quartern of 

 oats will weigh about two pounds and three quarters. Four 

 quarterns, and frequently five, are given to each horse daily ; 

 and with every feed, a double handful of split beans. Taking 

 the four feeds of oats to weigh eleven pounds, and the beans as 

 three, it gives a daily average of fourteen pounds of com : the 

 extra quartern making up the weight a little over seventeen 

 pounds, including the beans. This quantity of corn, let it be 

 understood however, is not necessary except for the larger sized 

 and more severely laboured hunters and harness horses. When 

 the labour is easy, or the journeys not prolonged, it is desirable 

 to regulate the quantity of corn accordingly. 



