G78 
STABLE MANAGEMENT. 
maintenance of robust health. It is a question with many 
as to whether oats should be crushed or not under all cir- 
cumstances ; some contending for the universal application of 
the system, while others would limit it to the old horse, on the 
plea that young horses contract a habit of gross feeding on 
discovering that their provender does not require so much 
mastication ; for our own part, we confess to a leaning to the 
side of crushed oats generally employed ; perfect mastication 
may be ensured by combining a little bran and a double or 
treble portion of chaff ; and certainly the superior facilities 
for digestion, and the consequent relief of the digestive 
organs, are points worth attending to. 
As to green food and roots, they stand rather in the position 
of alterative medicines, very valuable in moderate quantities, 
but by no means adapted for supporting the nutritive 
functions of a working animal. Another important con- 
sideration is the amount of water to be allowed. Wherever 
it is possible we advocate the trough system ; the vessels being 
kept filled, and the fluid being always the temperature of the 
stable. If an animal come in too warm he may be kept from it 
for a short time, or only permitted a small quantity, but 
usually he may be left to himself with perfect safety ; ex- 
perience having taught him that his supply will not be taken 
away, he usually manifests no eagerness to consume a large 
quantity at a draught. If, however, troughs are not con- 
veniently applicable, care should certainly be taken not to 
allow the animals hot from work to walk into the pond and 
fill his stomach with an immense quantity of cold fluid ; the 
caution would seem almost unnecessary, were it not that 
cases of colic are the constant consequences of its neglect. 
We have not, in the course of our observations, entered 
into the minute details of the several phases of stable 
economy, remembering that our readers, or at least those who 
will take any interest in the subject, are practically acquainted 
with them, and would not be likely to alter their times of 
feeding or quantities of food at our suggestion. 
We have simply ventured to string together a few notions 
that struck us as being somewhat cast on one side in ordinary 
practice. “ A word to the wise is enough.” Another time, 
possibly, we may catch a few ideas floating in our minds 
relative to the Hack and Hunter. If we should be so 
fortunate, we promise to fix them, for our readers’ amusement 
at least, if not instruction . — Oxford Journal . 
