A working horse, as we have already seen, should be frequently fed. While observing the rule that a horse should not get more corn than he can finish straight away, we should bear in mind that the sooner work follows the consumption of food, the more apt will it be to cause indigestion. Hence, the quantity given to a horse at one time should, to some extent, be proportionate to the length of the period of idleness which is to follow the meal.

In the giving of hay (under which term we may include straw and other substitutes), we may give some before feeding, mix chop through the corn, or give hay at the same time as the corn, but not mixed with the grain, so as to allow the horse to go to one or the other as he chooses. The usual plan of giving hay after feeding is objectionable in the case of an animal which does not get sufficient corn to satisfy his appetite; because the quantity of hay which he will consume, in order to fill up the vacant space in his interior, will interfere to a greater or less extent with the digestion of the corn in the stomach. Precautions against such an occurrence are hardly needed in the case of a horse which has as much, or nearly as much, grain as he cares to eat; because he is not likely to overfill himself with hay, after having just consumed a good allowance of the more palatable part of his food. As a rule it is best to mix the hay through the corn in the form of chop. When this cannot be done, some hay should be given before feeding, and also while the animal is eating his grain. In determining the daily amount of chop or of the hay which is to be given before feeding, we may safely take as a maximum the average amount of hay which a horse having an unlimited supply of corn would eat. Putting this quantity of hay at 7 lb. for a light horse, and at 10 lb. for a heavy animal, we may estimate the ordinary weight of chop at respectively 5 lb. and 7 1/2 lb. - say 1 lb. and 1 1/2 lb. for each of the five daily feeds, the remainder being given last thing at night.