§42 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
grain, the smell will to a considerable extent be removed by 
kiln-drying it; but in this process great care must be taken 
not to overheat it, which renders it unpalatable to the horse, 
and more heating in its nature, producing an increased 
discharge of urine as well as mange of the skin, and is 
apt to induce inflammation of the eyelids and of the ball of 
the eye. 
Horses that have been fed all winter on dry food will 
receive much benefit by being turned out in the spring, 
when the grass has become luxuriant; or when this is incon¬ 
venient, cut grass may be given to him in the stable. The 
use of green tares will also be found very beneficial. Green 
food is certain to purge the animal, and that in a moderate 
degree, which carries off all the evil effects of constant 
feeding on hard meat. 
Wheat is too expensive to be used as food for horses in 
Great Britain, and it is only when damaged that farmers 
think of applying it for this purpose. Although wheat 
contains a large portion of nutrition, it is not by any means 
desirable as food for a horse, as it has a tendency to form 
obstructions in the bowels by becoming caked ; and besides, 
it is difficult of digestion. This has been found to be 
especially the case when they are watered soon after feed¬ 
ing ; for the water, flowing quickly through the stomach and 
small intestines in its passage to the caecum, or blind-gut, 
carries off with it all the gelatinous substance of the grain, and 
leaves the more indissoluble mass behind, and the masses 
thereby formed have often caused the death of the horse. A 
small portion of hay should be given along with wheat. 
Beans are an excellent and nutritious food, but should 
never be given whole when dried, as their skin being sc 
very hard, the horse swallows many of them whole, or drops 
others. 
