702 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



Linseed meal. — This food is very rich in protein and is often fed to 

 the horse in Hmited quantities, more for the specific effect it has . on 

 the horse than for the actual nutrients it contains. It stimulates the 

 skin secretions and gives the horse a very smooth and glossy hair. It 

 can be used as a laxative. Linseed meal is very palatable and easily 

 digestible. It is fattening in its nature and hence desirable if one wishes 

 to fatten his horse. Linseed is valuable as a food for the growing colt 

 because of its high amount of mineral matter and protein. It cannot 

 be fed, however, in very large quantities because of its laxative effect, 

 and some horses cannot eat it at all as it scours them at once. 



Cottonseed meal has about the same composition and the same effect 

 on the mature horse as has linseed meal. Cottonseed meal should 

 not, however, be fed to young and growing animals. 



Gluten meal or feed. — Gluten .is sometimes fed to the horse. It is 

 rich in protein but rather deficient in mineral matter. It has the objec- 

 tion that when moistened with saliva it has a tendency to form balls 

 in the mouth and is not so palatable. However, it is quite digestible. 

 Like linseed and cottonseed meal it should not be fed in very large 

 quantities. Because of its low mineral matter content it should not be 

 given to the young and growing colt. 



Dried brewer's grains. — These grains have been used in the ration 

 of the work horse with success. An experiment is quoted when they 

 were compared with oats and the following conclusions drawn: In 

 both rations the nutrients furnished were sufficient to maintain the 

 weight of the animal under average work; taking all in all, a pound of 

 dried brewer's grains was quite as useful as a pound of oats in the ration 

 for work horses. 



Molasses. — Numerous trials have been made of feeding molasses 

 to horses, particularly in the South. It is rich in nitrogen-free extract 

 and hence is quite digestible. In the South, where it is fed extensively, 

 it is fed from a large trough and the animals are allowed to eat at will. 

 In the North it it customary to dilute it with water and sprinkle on 

 the hay. Molasses has a good physical effect upon the animal. It 

 encourages skin secretion and keeps the hair fine and glossy. There 

 are some disadvantages connected with the use of molasses, however, 

 as it attracts insects, especially flies and ants, sticks to the animal's 

 coat, halter, tie strap and manger, and is difficult to mix with other 

 foods. 



Patent stock foods. — If the horse is slightly out of order, or if the food 

 is not so good as it should be, the use of condimental or patent stock 

 foods may be of advantage in bringing the animal up to the normal 



