220 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
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within, which will make the stable neither too hot in summer nor too cold 
in winter; but where this cannct be done, air-chambers should be carried up 
from the stable roof, and be so guarded by revolving caps as to prevent any 
current of air from passing down into the horse’s apartments. 
FOOD AND DRINK. 
Foop.— Green Fodder.—Grass is the natural food for the horse. Of 
its many varieties some possess little nutriment and are of limited value as 
food; others are not adapted to the constitution, and lead to diseases often attrib- 
uted to other causes, if given as regular food. When the amount of nour- 
ishment is small, the animal must take a large bulk to support life, rendering 
the belly large, loading the flesh with fat and making it soft and flabby, a 
condition unfavorable to quick work. Young horses and those from which 
work is not required may be profitably put upon grass that has a mixture of 
clover. Putting horses designed for immediate service upon grass is seldom 
advisable, as it produces loss in the nervous system, and the limbs are injured 
by the extra strain required to get the animal again in condition for work. 
A great variety of opinions exists as to the relative amount of nourish- 
ment in the different green foods, as clover, timothy, blue grass, lucerne, 
green oats, and the like. At first these should be given in small quantities, 
mixed with half the usual allowance of hay; but after the first week or 
ten days the hay may be discontinued and the quantity of oats be increased, 
but not wholly withheld from horses designed for quick work. Clover is 
the most fattening, but it is apt to produce colic when given too plentifully 
at first. 
Roots.—Of roots given to horses the most common are potatoes, 
turnips, carrots and parsnips. The first two should be boiled and mixed 
with hay and bran; they are good only for farm-horses, and of indifferent 
value for them, being merely productive of fat and lacking flesh-forming 
principles. Carrots given raw are supposed to be good for the wind, but, 
excepting in very small quantities, are unfit for horses doing quick work. 
The remarks about carrots apply equally to parsnips; they are generally 
chopped and mixed with corn, and when given for a time make the horse 
inclined to refuse oats, unless the latter be added to the parsnips. A 
horse in good condition is not benefited by them, but if he be hide-bound, 
or his skin be unhealthy, they are profitable. They should be given whole, 
to prevent choking. Beets are considered good feeding in late spring. 
All roots should be mixed with other food to secure their best results. 
ay.—Hay may be composed of clover, mixed clover and timothy, blue 
grass, or prairie or upland grass. For heavy work and when weight and 
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