'Tis an ill horse will not carry his own provender.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

A resource should be considered together with the support needed to keep it useful. The horse carrying its own provisions pictures a capability that does not consume all the effort of those relying on it.

What the words are saying

Provender is understood here as the horse’s provisions in the image of a journey. The proverb imagines an unsuitable horse that cannot bear what is needed for its own use. Figuratively, a tool, arrangement or project may offer less help than expected if sustaining it overwhelms the task it was meant to assist. That comparison should not become a demand that a person supply every support they need without help. Cooperation often involves sharing burdens, and a useful resource may reasonably require care. The practical question is whether the necessary support has been considered and can be provided without defeating the purpose.

Everyday example

A team chooses a modest display system whose setup does not consume the whole time available for the event.

When to use it

Use it when assessing the support required by a proposed resource.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.