DITISIOy OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 579 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



The cross-lined concrete passages are perfectly safe whether dry or wet in 

 winter or summer. 



The graded, grooved, concrete stall floors still looked upon with suspicion by 

 some horsemen, continue to prove their superiority over wood floors from the points 

 of safety, sanitation and durability. No troubles, such as dry feet, quarter cracks, 

 side bones, capped hocks, rheumatism and the like, so often attributed to concrete 

 floors, have been encountered during the six years in use 



The ease in cleaning stalls and maintaining an atmosphere free from unpleasant 

 odours strongly recommends such construction. 



FEEDING THE WORK HORSES. 



The feeding of the horses is conducted along the same lines as in former years. 

 The stableman feeds all horses, and, undf his supervision, each teamster is 

 responsible For the washing and cleaning of his horses and harness. 



The feeds used are mixed hay, fed long, oats and bran, generally in the propor- 

 tion of 5 parts cats to 2 parts bran, mixed and fed dry. Warm bran mashes, 5 to 6 

 pounds per horse, are used on Saturday nights to replace the regular grain ration. 

 When horses are on very heavy work, the proportion of bran is decreased to 1 part 

 for 5 parts oats. These rations between bran and oats were decided best after much 

 experimental work. Readers interested are referred to the annual reports of the Do- 

 minion Agriculturist, years 1904: and 1905. 



A safe standard for feeding draught horses, and one commonly used here is that 

 of giving from 1 to l£ pounds of the above grain mixture and one pound of hay for 

 each 100 pounds live weight; this, of course, subject to variation depending on the 

 severity of work, condition of animal when fed, the health of animal, and other 

 minor considerations. 



The morning feed, about 5 a.m., consists of about three-eighths of the total 

 grain mixture and one-quarter of the hay for that day. The noon ration is the same. 

 The evening feed consists of one-quarter of the grain and about one-half the hay for 

 the day. 



Water is supplied after the morning feed and before the noon and evening 

 feeds. During the winter, water is also supplied in the evenings, some three hours 

 after the feed. 



With the above treatment, the horse? are maintained in good working condition, 

 and with an almost entire absence of common stomach and intestinal ailments such 

 as indigestion and colic. No condiments are used, but to horses somewhat low in 

 flesh and requiring more feed, molasses mixed with the grain is used in small 

 quantities as it stimulates the appetite by increasing the palatibility of the food. 



Experimental work as to the food value of molasses, and similar lines of work 

 are anticipated. 



FINANCIAL STATEMENT. 

 Returns. 



To 6,452^10 days labour at 70 cents $ *,516 61 



To 150 tons manure at $1.00 150 00 



$ 4,666 61 



Expenditures. 



By cost of feed $ 2,205 M 



By shoeing of horses 125 00 



By stableman C58 00 



By harness and repairs 1 13 35 



• — 3,101,35 



Balance for horses $ 1,565 20 



16—37* 



