Feeding the Horse. 



703 



condition. The price at which these patent foods are sold makes them 

 extremely expensive to the consumer, and the profits that accrue from 

 their sale are great. Yet if one has a horse that is out of condition it 

 may be profitable to buy a package of this food. There is nothing 

 difficult in the making of these foods, and any one can mix a " con- 

 ditioner " himself if he has the time and disposition to do so. 



Hay and forage 



The kinds of forage or hay that are available for horse-feeding are 

 as numerous as the grains, and vary about as widely in their composi- 

 tion. Forage on the average contains only about one-half of the energy 



Fig. 31. — Grade Perchcrons. Average weight, 1,900 pounds 



value of grain. It differs from grain in that it contains more water 

 and more crude fibre. 



Timothy hay. — Although not particularly rich in digestible nutrients 

 timothy is the standard hay for horse-feeding. There are many reasons 

 for its popularity: It can be grown successfully in nearly all localities 

 and is the principal market hay; it is difficult to adulterate with other 

 gra.sscs or weeds without detection; it is relished by horses; it is free 

 from dust, all of which conditions commend good timothy hay as a 

 horse food. 



Clover hay has not been held in high esteem as a forage for horses. 



