Feeding the Horse. 



(>77 



energy in the food than does the steam engine of the energy in the fuel. 

 It appears from the observations of scientists that about one-third of the 

 total food energy can be converted into useful work with the horse, while 

 the steam engine may recover as much as one-tenth of the energy con- 

 tained in the fuel. 



Food requirements for work 



To gain an idea of the food requirements for work, one must under- 

 stand two factors: First, the energy values, or the amount of energy 

 contained in the foods fed; second, we must know something of the 

 amount of work performed. 



Fig. 2 1. — Champion coach stallion. Truman's Pioneer Stock Farm 



Energy value of foods. — Foods vary considerably in their energy values, 

 that is, in the amount of muscular activity they are capable of pro- 

 ducing. The method of determining and measuring the energy value 

 of food is too involved to discuss here, and we will dismiss this subject 

 by considering the comparative values of a few of the various groups of 

 feeding-stuffs. 



The green forage crops, blue-grass, June-grass, clover, alfalfa, and the 

 like, contain much water; that is, they are more or less succulent or 

 juicy. They contain considerable nutritive material and have a good 



