68o 



Reading-Course for Farmers, 



to be masticated at will; hence, when at work the horse must be fed 

 regularly and often. Undue fasting is followed by taking an excessive 

 supply of food, which in turn calls for excessive drinking with conse- 

 quent digestive disorders. The effects of irregular feeding and changed 

 conditions are well brought out in the fact that horses usually lose in 

 weight when making the circuit of the autumn fairs. 



The exertion of severe work calls for more food and for taking it more 

 frequently than when the horses are at rest. Horses that are idle or 

 simply being carried through the winter may fare well enough on two 

 feedings a day; it is imperative, however, that horses at work should have 

 three feeds, and it is equally important that the food should be given on 



time. Work carried 



beyond the usual 

 time for taking food 

 means a more rapid 

 expenditure of en- 

 ergy than if it is fed 

 on time, and this 

 means a lowering of 

 digestive efficiency 

 when food is given. 

 Hence, it is appar- 

 ent why irregularity 

 and lack of uniformity 

 in feeding are always 

 followed by unsatis- 

 factory results. 



When water is 

 withheld beyond the 

 usual time, a sense of 

 deprivation is felt. 

 Then the horse takes it to excess. Disturbance follows in secret- 

 ing the digestive fluids. Digestive disorders are the result. High 

 temperature and hard work call for water in larger quantities or more 

 frequently than at other times, but under normal conditions the aim 

 should be to supply it at regular periods. 



Fig. 22. — .4 well-fed farm team 



Order of supplying food 



Because of the small size of the horse's stomach, the order of supply- 

 ing grain, hay and water assumes much importance. Investigators 



