THE HORSE—GENERAL CARE. 223. 
to derange digestion. A handful, however, mixed with a feed of oats, is. 
very beneficial, though this remark applies only to horses doing hard 
work. Beans are cheaper and more easily digested, and hence are prefer- ' 
able. A given measure of either is much more than equal to the same 
measure of oats. 
Barley.—Barley is fattening, and improves the coating. It is not so. 
digestible as oats, unless it be well soaked in water or, still better, kiln- 
dried. For horses on the road barley so prepared is superior. If it has 
been water-soaked until it has sprouted and then dried, it is good for horses. 
that are delicate and refuse other food. 
Indian Corn.—lt is best to crack this, or give it in meal, and mix it 
with chopped hay and straw. While it is good for horses doing slow work,, 
it is not good for those requiring quick action. If the meal be mixed with 
twice its weight of cut hay, it makes perhaps the best article for ordinary 
feeding; but it is better to combine or alternate this with some mixture of oats. 
Bran—Bran is good both for healthy and sick horses. It should not 
be given if fine, as it forms too much of a paste and closes the passages in 
the membrane. Coarse bran, with hot water poured upon it and covered, 
awhile before using, is very good, especially when the horse is temporarily 
relieved from labor. Improved milling has, however, so reduced bran that. 
the nutrimenc is very small, and care should be taken that the animal be not 
compelled to depend too largely upon it. Dry bran mixed with corn will 
often improve the mastication. 
Quantity and Quality of Food.—Though these differ much according 
to the work, age and constitution of the horse, it may be remarked in 
general that the growing colt or very active horse requires more food than 
others; that more is necessary in cold weather than in warm; that horses. 
doing fast work require substantial food in condensed form at regular inter- 
vals, given two hours before fust service is required; that those doing fast and 
laborious work should have as much as they will eat with a good appetite, 
the hay being limited; that those doing slow and not laborious work, as well 
as idle ones, should have less grain and more hay or straw, bran and green 
food being given at times; that those which purge on rapid work should 
not have much water until after the work, and should be fed not-less than 
two hours before work, a small quantity of beans being added to each feed. 
of oats, and an ounce and a half of flour in the form of paste being added: 
to the water when given before work; and, finally, that horses in ill-health 
should have soft or cooked food and, when possible, some that is green. 
Young horses just put up from grass should have walking exercise. 
If a mixture of bran and oats in equal parts be fed, it should be well soaked 
in warm water to insure perfect digestion. The following is, perhaps, the 
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