The principle of feeding young horses is: small quantities and often. Avoid overloading the stomach. Give a liberal allowance of chaff in the feed; this will increase mastication, and so help digestion. Crushed oats have this advantage: in the whole state some of the grain may escape mastication and thus not be properly digested, but if the oats are crushed this defect is obviated.

Oats are a good muscle-producing feed, and for a young horse coming on to hard food about 4 to 8 lb. will be found sufficient for the first few weeks. This can be gradually increased according to his work and condition. If there is any sign of humour breaking out it is advisable to cut down the supply of oats and replace with bran mashes and green food. When on a small oat ration, young horses should have a liberal supply of bran and good hay to provide the necessary bulk; besides, they are both good bone-producing foods.

Boiled linseed, from 1/2 to 1 lb. daily, is a good fat-producing ration for thin horses, and should be mixed with their ordinary feeds. Linseed also has a good effect upon their coats.

Beans and peas are not recommended for young horses ridden in most hunting countries where they are liable to pick up thorns. The thorns are often poisonous, and heating food will only increase any inflammation and cause further trouble. However, if they are given, they should always be split and should be a year old.

Lucerne and carrots are both excellent cooling foods.

Gratings of carrots mixed in the ordinary food will often tempt poor feeders to eat up their feeds.

Rock salt should always be in the manger. For horses that bolt their food the manger can be filled with pieces of rock salt which will prevent them eating quickly. Young horses often look about and listen to noises all day, but will generally feed up at night, a fact which should be taken advantage of.

Nervous young horses should be allowed boxes that they can look out of, and they will become used to different sights and sounds.

Water must be fresh. In cold weather it may be chilled.

Horses should if possible always be watered at least half an hour before feeding, so as not to interfere with the gastric juices that aid proper digestion of the food.