244 THE HORSE IN SERVICE 



horse to help himself, only limited aanounts will be taken. A 

 satisfactory method of furnishing salt is to season the grain feed. 

 A lump of rock salt in the feed box does fairly well, although the 

 quality of the salt is not good. One of the best patented de- 

 vices is a container for a cylindrical cake of high-grade salt, so 

 arranged that the cake rotates as the horse licks the bottom of 

 it. This insures the salt being used off evenly, the cylinder last- 

 ing until it is but a thin disc. The container screws into the 

 wall of the stall at a convenient height. Loose salt should not be 

 made too easy of access. 



METHODS OF FEEDING 



Regularity of Feeding — Horses are creatures of habit and 

 should be so managed that their daily routine is regular in order 

 that each event may be anticipated in turn. This rule applies 

 to feeding with especial force, it being the most important event 

 of the day. Regularity of feeding promotes digestion, assimi- 

 lation, and peace of mind. All horses in a stable should be fed 

 at once, with as little delay as possible in getting to each, in turn, 

 after the oj^eration has begun. In most large stables the drivers 

 have nothing to do with the feeding, that matter being better 

 attended to by one man, who feeds each horse impartially and in 

 accordance with his individual requirements. 



Time of Feeding. — The daily ration is divided into three 

 feeds given, when circumstances will permit, about six hours 

 apart. City delivery service often necessitates much longer in- 

 tervals between meals. Just a bit of roughage should be allowed 

 in the morning, the bulk of it going with the evening feed. The 

 division of grain is about equal for the three feeds, less being 

 allowed at noon if the dinner hour is short. 



Omission of the noon feed is practiced by some employers 

 of horses and with apparent good judgment. The horse's di- 

 gestive system, unlike that of the ruminating cattle and sheep, 

 is so arranged that he requires feed in small amounts, at com- 

 paratively frequent intervals. There can be no argument of the 

 fact that, under ideal or natural conditions, he should receive at 

 least three feeds a day. But it is economically impossible to in- 



