152 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



artificial conditions under which they live. Some of the 

 artificial conditions are necessary and with care harmless, 

 while at least one is the outcome of the most powerful 

 factor in the civilized or uncivilized world, viz., fashion. 



The diseases connected with food group themselves under 

 the following heads : — 



Alterations in Quantity. 



Conditions of Digestibility and Assimilation. 



Conditions of Quality. 



Alterations in Quantity. 



It is rather a remarkable, though easily understood fact, 

 that very little of the happy mean exists in the feeding of 

 horses ; they are either underfed and overworked, or over- 

 fed and underworked. Which it is to be depends upon the 

 purse of the owner and the class of horse. It is only in 

 business and commercial undertakings, where the question 

 of feeding large numbers of horses causes the matter to be 

 inquired into, that the food supply is not less than nor 

 greatly in excess of requirements. 



Excluding entirely from consideration racehorses and 

 hunters, it may generally be said that the horses of all 

 people of means are overfed. There is a constant desire on 

 the part of those in charge to cram them with food, in 

 order to produce that rotundity of barrel and sleekness of 

 coat so pleasing to the eye. 



The racehorse and hunter represent another artificial 

 class, which cannot be too highly fed ; immense muscular 

 effort is required, and this can only be met by unlimited 

 food given with sound knowledge and discretion. 



The army horse at home is well fed for the amount of 

 work expected ; it does not err on the side of extravagance 

 excepting in one respect, and that is feeding on long hay 

 instead of chaff. 



In India the diet of the horse used for military purposes 

 is often seriously defective, and quite unsuited to the climate. 

 What would English horse owners think if they had to feed 



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