FEEDING AND CARE OF HORSES 



227 



ters and be protected from drafts. Previous to 1836 the annual loss of 

 horses in the French army was enormous. When the stables were 

 enlarged and properly ventilated the loss was reduced to one-seventh 

 the former figures. A cool, well-ventilated stable is far preferable to 

 warm, close quarters. 



It is important to blanket the horse in cold weather whenever his 

 work ceases and he is forced to stand in the cold for even a short time. 

 Thoro and careful grooming is necessary to remove the solid matter 

 left on the animal's coat when the perspiration evaporates, and to keep 

 the pores open and the skin healthy. This should be done with a dull 

 currycomb, a brush being used on the tender head and legs. The horse 



Speed Decreases the Work that can be Performed 



A pound of additional load makes but little difference to a draft horse, but 

 with the race horse the load must be made as light as possible. (From Western 

 Horseman.) 



will rest much more comfortably after a hard day's work if groomed 

 at night. Bedding the stall well is just as important. 



The good horseman always cares for the teeth of his charges and 

 sees that no sharp points and ragged edges prevent proper chewing of 

 the food. He also sees that the collar and harness fit well and that the 

 horses' feet are properly shod. He makes any change in the ration 

 gradually, for a sudden change may bring on colic. In starting the 

 day's work he gradually warms the horse to his work, so that his collar 

 will be shaped to his shoulders, his muscles in proper trim, his bowels 

 relieved, and breathing and heart action quickened before he is put to 

 extreme effort. At the end of a trip or the day's work he likewise 

 cools his horse off gradually before returning to the stable. 



The work horse. — The regularity of work, feeding, and rest usually 

 brings a long life of usefulness to the work horse. In the previous 

 paragraphs we have discussed the principles of feeding and caring for 



