386 ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FARM HORSE. 
requires to be abundantly supplied to afford nourishment; a horse 
may be kept alive by feeding on straw or potatoes, which contain 
but very little azotised matter; but an animal so supported would 
exhibit a very meagre appearance. The quantity of food ^animals 
require for their support or nourishment diminishes or increases 
proportionately as the food contains more or less nitrogen. Recent 
discoveries, and the application of physiological science to the 
feeding of animals, will, when once understood by the agriculturist, 
be the means of affording him a clear idea in selecting the food 
best suited for the farm horse, and thus avoiding the unnecessary 
waste of the productions of the farm. 
Azotised Food. 
Under this head may be classed, as food for horses, oats and 
beans. The former is most in common use, and is the chief article 
in the diet of the working farm horse during winter feeding. 
Nothing excels good oats and hay, with a well-managed supply of 
beans. The object of the farmer is to have his horses in the best 
possible condition for enduring work. The possession of muscle is 
required for active exertion, and the muscular condition of an animal 
can only be obtained by the allowance of those materials identical 
with its own composition. The bean and oat take a pre-eminent 
stand in this respect. The value of the different kinds of food for 
the working animal varies with the quantity of azotised matter it 
contains. The horse intended for work need not be like animals 
intended for the butcher; an over supply of food, or stuffing them, 
as some do, with rich nutritious substances, is detrimental: it makes 
them too fat; and it ought always to be borne in mind that a fat horse 
is, comparatively speaking, a weak horse. A certain amount of fat 
may be required to make him appear comely by filling out different 
parts ; but we must not forget, that the best condition for enduring 
labour is the development of muscle, and the maintenance of 
health and vigour by conveying as much into the stomach as is 
required to supply the waste and wants of the system. With 
regular and well-conducted dieting farm horses may be kept all the 
year round on “ mixed or prepared diet ” This has many very decided 
advantages. It soon fills the stomach, appeases hunger, and makes 
the fatigued or tired horse inclined to lie down. Mixed diet is 
evidently grateful to the animal; the avidity with which he par¬ 
takes of it proves it to be suitable or congenial to his taste : so 
grateful is it to their wants if hungry, that other food remains 
untouched until the usual feed of compost is supplied. The habit 
of allowing, as some do, their horses to eat as much compost of 
oats, chaff, and bran, as they feel inclined, is very hurtful; engorge- 
