Fefh^ing the Horse. 699 



may be replaced by other materials, such as shavings from the planing 

 mill, rejected portions of corn stalks, tan bark, leaves and the like. 



Qrain Feeds for the horse 



Most of the grain fed to the horse comes from the cereal plants — 

 oats, corn, barley, rye and wheat. The cereal grains are very similar 

 in composition. They contain a fairly low water and protein content 

 and a considerable amount of nitrogen-free extract, fibre and fat. They 

 are palatable and digestible. The question of a choice of cereal grain 

 for feeding the horse will be largely determined by the relative cost. 



Oats. — It is said that horses fed on oats show a spirit which cannot 

 be attained by the use of any other feeding-stuff. It has been urged 

 by many that this is due to a peculiar stimulating substance called 

 "avenin," which the oats is said to possess. Oats may have a flavor 

 that makes it a favorite food for horses, but the most careful chemical 

 study has failed to reveal any substance of the nature of "avenin." 

 Again, it is stated that the fats of oats are more thoroughly digested 

 than those of other cereals. 



There is no other grain so safe for horse-feeding as oats, the animal 

 rarely being harmed if by accident or otherwise the feeder gives an over- 

 supply. This safety is due to the oat hull, which causes a given weight 

 of grain to possess considerable volume. This lessens the liability of 

 mistake in measuring the ration. Further, the digestive tract cannot 

 hold a quantity of oat grains sufficient to produce serious disorders. 



The weight of oats determines the quality of the grain. If the oats 

 is light it indicates that there is a large proportion of hull to grain and 

 the oats is worth less than if it were heavy, which indicates a large 

 proportion of grain and a small amount of hull. Unless the horse is pressed 

 for time or has poor teeth, the oats should be fed whole. 



It is generally agreed that new oats should not be fed to horses, though 

 extensive experiments with army horses have failed to prove the claim. 

 However, for hard-working horses it is perhaps best not to feed new 

 oats. Musty oats should always be avoided. 



Corn. — Next to oats, if indeed it does not exceed it, corn is the 

 common grain for the horse in America. It is used largely in the corn 

 belt and to the southward in the cotton states. Much has been said 

 against the use of com. However, it is ordinarily the cheapest of all the 

 cereal grains. A given weight furnishes more energy than any other 

 food. It furnishes the largest amount of digestible nutrients, at the 



