THE HORSE—GENERAL CARE. 225 
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stant use, horses engaged in frequent racing always excepted during their 
engagements. Where great fleetness is required, grain should be given, 
with enough chopped straw or chaff to insure perfect mastication. Grains of 
all kinds are best crushed, and when mixed with chaff should be so thoroughly 
mingled that they cannot be picked out and the chaff left. Twelve pounds 
of oats per day, divided into three feeds, make an average allowance for a 
horse in regular work during winter when green food is wanting. An 
equivalent for this may be easily chosen from the above table of “ Stone- 
henge.” Damaged food of any kind should be avoided, the feeding of it 
being mistaken and foolish economy. The most successful breeders persist 
in feeding a little hay at night in the rack, despite the prejudice against this 
method. It is better to slightly moisten the hay with salt-water, to prevent 
dust and impart a relish. The hay should be of the best quality, and be 
given in smal! quantities, for the practice of putting large amounts in a rack 
proves very wasteful. 
Drink.—By noting the amount of moisture thrown out by the lungs, 
mouth and skin, one gains an idea of the absolute necessity of caring for 
proper drinking to keep up the normal condition of the body. But usual 
“care should be exercised that the amount may not be so great as to keep 
the animal weakened. The quantity which a horse will consume varies 
greatly—from about four gallons per day to four or five times this amount; in 
special instances even the last amount has been surpassed very much. The 
horse should be watered, as a rule, three times a day; in cold weather, and 
in absence of work, twice is sometimes sufficient, while in hot weather, 
during work, three times are not enough. In the latter case a small allow- 
ance may be given just before the feed and as much, if it is taken, before 
the meal is finished. In other cases, water should usually not be given 
within an hour before feeding, nor when the animal is warm. The horse 
at work should not be allowed an unlimited supply, but a small amount 
should be given at each time, and at frequent intervals. Though hard 
water may not injure the horse that is accustomed to it, soft, clean water 
is always decidedly better. Very cold water is never good, and often in- 
jures, if it does not kill the horse. Pure, cool water is the best. 
GROOMING, BATHING, EXERCISE AND CLIPPING. 
Groominc.—Grooming is positively essential for both the appearance 
and the health of the horse. The watery portions of the body and worn- 
out material pass out through the pores of the skin, and if these be clogged 
by scurf, this refuse material must pass away through the lungs, liver, kid- 
neys and bowels, causing derangement of these parts. Not only are the 
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