FEEDING FARM HORSES 143 
a year. Stale or foul water from a neglected cistern is unfit for a 
horse and will be refused, except in case of extreme thirst or when 
no other kind is provided. 
The custom of not giving horses a drink during the forenoon or 
the afternoon when working in the field is frequently condemned but 
generally followed. In our larger cities horses are often never given 
water between morning and evening. This is cruel, of course. Good 
horsemen are more thoughtful of these dumb beasts. Not only 
should the horse be permitted to drink his fill at noon, but during 
ey weather, in the dusty fields, a cool drink should be provided 
also. 
7. Order of hay, grain and water—Drinking water 
should be given at least three times a day to horses at 
rest, and more frequently when at work. Small quanti- 
ties of water may be given horses at work, even though 
they are hot and tired. When horses are at heavy work, 
their noon feed should consist largely of grain. After 
being watered, grain is fed and some hay given. For 
the evening meal the grain should come first, and after 
a brief interval the hay. Usually hay and grain are 
given at the same time. A drink of water after feeding 
is both humane and desirable. 
8. Regularity in feeding and watering.—Whatever the 
system of feeding and watering, it should be strictly ad- 
hered to during the season. Habit is part of the ration. 
Water given one day before meals and the following day 
after meals is as unsatisfying to the horse as it would be 
to man. If accustomed to grain before hay at noon, there 
will be dissatisfaction if this procedure is reversed the 
following day. Drink and food should be given at about 
the same time each day. 
Not only does the animal know when to expect its grain and hay, 
but the animal system adjusts itself accordingly, and discomfort 
results if this order is not adhered to. This does not mean that a 
set scheme should be followed throughout the year, but rather fol- 
lowed during certain periods of the year when special work is per- 
formed. During the winter season when farm horses are not called 
to do strenuous or regular work, a different plan may be followed 
than that employed in the summer season, when every minute counts. 
But, winter or summer, a reasonable regularity should be required. 
