690 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



however, is the effect of food upon the character of the muscle formed 

 from it, and especially on the nerve and mettle of the horse. As in the 

 case of the driving horse, economy in the cost of the ration is not to 

 be considered. Everything yields to speed. 



When the campaign has closed and the animal is taken into winter 

 quarters, the feed should be reduced by at least one-half. Good sound 

 oats and clean, sweet timothy hay should constitute the bulk of the 

 ration. At this time a few carrots may be given and occasionally a 

 bran mash, for these are cooling in their nature and have a tendency 

 to reduce any feverish or inflammatory symptoms. A horse turned out 

 to the field should be fed oats twice a day, as oats will keep the muscles 

 hard and the mettle up. In the spring when shedding, bran mash 

 may be given more frequently to keep the bowels in good condition. 

 Flax seed and linseed should seldom be given as they are thought to be 

 too laxative and cause a too severe shock on the system. When the 

 horse goes into training, the strength of the food must be increased, 

 though but slowly at first. As the oats is increased, the horse will 

 want less hay, but may at first have all he will consume. Later it may 

 be necessary to limit the hay, and in such cases one should see that he 

 docs not eat the bedding. No carrots should be given now. The bran 

 mash may be continued once or twice a week if the animal is of a con- 

 stipative nature, but if he is rather laxative it may be best to dispense 

 with the mash altogether. During the last days of training, or just 

 before the coming trial, he should be put upon his largest allowance of 

 strong food. The various individuals differ so very much that no 

 definite amount can be stated. It is at this time, when all eyes are 

 centered upon the trotter, that the skill of his feeder is appreciated. 



Wintering the idle horse 



On the average farm most of the work comes during the growing 

 season. We think it more economical, and perhaps advisable, that 

 the idle horse be turned into a lot, if it affords some protection, to be 

 roughed through the winter rather than confined too closely in the barn. 

 As winter comes on the horse will grow a heavy coat of hair, which 

 will afford excellent protection. Such a horse may be maintained 

 wholly or nearly so upon hay, straw or corn fodder, fed uncut, as it 

 has time to masticate food, and not being taxed by labor, it is able 

 to subsist on food containing a large percentage of inert matter. We 

 think it is better to have the digestive tract of the idle horse well dis- 

 tended v;ith coarse ^laterial rather than contracted, as would be the 



