atTLES FOE DIETINa. 45 



The reason why an obedience to this rule in the generaUty of 

 instances will prove beneficial, especially with horses of delicate 

 constitution, is obvious. The food when masticated, is passed 

 into the stomach there to be digested, and when fully prepared 

 to leave this organ, it does so to undergo further changes 

 ere it becomes assimilated to the organism. In no case, however, 

 ought the food to leave the stomach until thoroughly digested. 

 Now water does not stay in the stomach ; it immediately passes 

 into the coecum, where it remains in readiness to supply 

 the wants of the system. "When horses are fed prior to the 

 administration of water, and water is freely given directly 

 afterwards, in passing through the stomach, it takes along with 

 it a considerable quantity of imperfectly digested food; this 

 the delicate surface of the small intestines are not prepared to 

 receive, and irritation of the bowels supervenes, and purging 

 very frequently results ; to avoid the disagreeable consequences 

 of which, carefully attend to the preceding rule. 



II. — "When about to travel your horse a long journey, or 

 drive hiin quickly in harness, feed him at least two hours 

 before starting. 



III. — If you have worked your horse, to an unusual state 

 of exhaustion, feed the animal sparingly, for a short time, 

 vpith food carefully cooked. [Further attention will be given 

 to this rule, in the section devoted to a consideration of the 

 proper treatment of the hunter. J 



IV. — Occasionally changing the diet of your horse wiU 

 prove beneficial. Carrots may be given with excellent efiect. 



V. — In feeding your horse with food he may not be 

 accustomed to, but which he may manifest a fondness for. 



