HOW TO FEED A HORSE. 129 



develops the utmost powers of the creature, requires thu 

 greatest skill and the most constant attention on the part 

 of the person who undertakes to produce it. 



Even with horses in full training, or in that half training 

 which is necessarily aimed at by those who keep pleasui'e 

 horses for fast, continual and long protracted work, the oc- 

 casional exhibition of carrots and green meat, in small 

 quantities, is of great advantage. It prevents the animals 

 from becominghide-bound, it keeps their blood cool, and 

 it affords an agreeable change to their over-stimulated ap- 

 petites, often partially fevered from excess of grain feeding. 

 Mashes are also highly valuable ; and it is always desirable 

 to give them, after hard work, and when too hard work is 

 not likely to ensue on the following day. Moistening the 

 hay and oats is not a bad practice, and is especially bene- 

 ficial to the wind. A small quantity of salt may be occa- 

 sionally given to advantage in the oats ; horses are fond of 

 it, and will often take their feed greedily if a little is inter- 

 mixed with it, when they would otherwise refuse it alto- 

 gether. Nitre should never be given in the food, though 

 bad grooms are extremely fond of using it, as a nostrum 

 for the production of fine coats. It is a severe diuretic, 

 and injuriously drains the stamina and strength of any 

 horse to which it is supplied as an article of food or a con- 

 diment^ although it is valuable as a medicine. 



It rests only to say, that water, although it should never 

 DC given to a horse in large quantities shortly before being 

 put to work ; or at all, on his coming ofl." work, while hot ; 

 still less, while jaded or exhausted, — should be ordinarily 

 furnished to him often, and in abundance. Not so much 

 in large draughts at a time, which improperly distend the 

 stomach, as in small quantities, at frequently-recurring in- 

 tervals. Many persons advocate the plan of keeping watei 

 fX)Dstantly within reach of the horse, on the ground that ha 

 6* 



