■Feeding the Horse. 



705 



animals. In relative value for horse-feeding, the straws rank in the 

 following order: Oats, barley, wheat and rye, the latter being of little 

 use as a horse food. 



Succulent foods 



In addition to the dry hays, the horse can make good use of many 

 of the succulent foods and will be much benefited thereby. These 

 succulent foods are all characterized by their very high water content 

 and by their low energy values, the latter about one-half that of dry hay. 



Green forage. — Sometimes it happens that the feeder runs short of hay 

 before the new crop comes on, and he either cuts the grass and feeds it 

 green, which we call 

 soiling, or turns the 

 horses out to pasture. 

 Whenthe grass is cut 

 and fed green it is well 

 to bear in mind that 

 it contains very much 

 water and very much 

 more of it by weight 

 must be fed. The 

 leguminous forages, 

 such as alfalfa and 

 clover, are richer in 

 protein, and may 

 cause a larger excre- 

 tion of urine. Either 

 of these methods is 

 practicable when the 

 animals are at moder- 

 ate work, but neither 

 should be employed when the work is severe, as it takes the animal too 

 long to get sufficient nutrition. 



Silage. — This succulent food has been fed to the horse from time to 

 time with varying success. If the silage is good and is fed in moderate 

 quantities, it may be given to idle horses, to idle brood mares and to 

 growing colts with safety. It should not be fed to the hard-working 

 animal, as he must consume too much to get sufficient nutrients to avail 

 him much energy because of the high percentage of water. 



Roots and tubers. — Carrots, rutabagas, potatoes and other roots and 

 tubers are occasionally fed to the horse. These foods contain a high 



Fig. 32. — A well-fed coach horse. Sedgley Farms 



