Feeding the Horse 73 
should be regularly supplied him. It is best not to place too much 
before him at a time as some horses will eat it to excess. 
130. Individual rations. — The successful horseman will study 
each individual and modify the ration according to the varied 
needs; one horse should have a little more than the regular al- 
lowance, and the next possibly a little less, because some horses 
are more difficult to keep in condition than others doing the same 
work and living under similar conditions. 
In handling horses we should remember that they are very 
sensitive animals and that we cannot be too quiet in our treatment 
of them. Striking them or shouting commands at them is an 
inconsiderate practice; it causes the animals to lose confidence in 
the master, renders them less teachable, and ‘destroys nervous 
energy. 
FEEDING THE WORK HORSE 
The work horse has avery hearty appetite, a vigorous digestion, 
and responds, more readily than any other animal, to intelligent 
care. He should be fed liberally and frequently, the quantity 
given being regulated by the size of the animal as well as the amount 
and kind of work he is required to do. 
131. Amount to feed. — In general, the horse should be supplied 
with something over two pounds of provender daily for each hun- 
dred pounds of weight. Of this about two-thirds, the exact 
quantity depending on the severity of the labor performed, should 
be grain insome form. If the work is exceedingly heavy, the grain 
in the ration should be increased and the hay diminished ; whereas, 
if the work is light, the grain should be diminished and the hay 
increased. The morning meal should be comparatively light, 
consisting mostly of grain. It should not possess much bulk. 
In many of the larger stables the mid-day meal is omitted. But 
most horsemen think that some grain should be given at noon, 
. which seems reasonable from our knowledge of the horse’s stomach. 
In any case, the mid-day ration should not be large. 
