74 



The amount of nutrients required increases with the amount of work 

 done and with increased speed. More energy is required for climb- 

 ing an incline than for traveling on a level. In descending an incline 

 of less than 5-* 45' less energ}" is required than in traveling on a level. 

 If the incline is greater than 5^ 45', more energ}^ is expended (to pre- 

 vent too rapid descent) than in walking on a level. 



The ration should consist of concentrated and coarse feeds. The ratio 

 by weight of coarse fodder or bulk}- feed to concentrated feed in the 

 ordinary ration has been found to be about 1:1. Crude liber may 

 perhaps be fairly considered as the characteristic constituent of coarse 

 fodder. The ratio of crude fiber to protein in the average of a large 

 number of American rations has been found to be about 2:1. 



Theoreticalh' at least any sufficient and rational mixture of whole- 

 some grains, bj'-products, roots, and forage crops, green and cured, 

 may be used to make up a ration, though there is a verv general prej- 

 udice in favor of oats and hay, corn and hay or corn fodder, and bar- 

 ley and hay (frequently that made from cereal grains), the first-named 

 ration being perhaps that most commonly regarded as satisfactory for 

 horses. A corn ration is very commonly fed in the middle West and 

 Southern United States — that is, in the corn-producing belt. The 

 barle}' ration is quite characteristic of the Pacific coast region. In 

 the semiarid regions of the United States Kafir corn and alfalfa have 

 proved to be of great value, owing to their drought-resisting qualities. 

 Both crops have been found useful for horse feeding. Of the two 

 alfalfa has been used much more commonly, and has given very satis- 

 factor^" results. 



Investigations have shown that it is often best to modify a ration, for 

 instance, bv substituting corn wholh' or in part for oats, so that the 

 horses remain in good condition, while at the same time the cost of the 

 ration is diminished. Where large numbers of horses are fed this is 

 often a matter of considerable importance. 



Horses require a considerable amount of water daily, the quantity 

 varj^ing with different seasons of the year, the amount of work per- 

 formed, etc. The time of watering, whether before or after feeding, 

 is a matter of little importance, and, generally speaking, mav be regu- 

 lated to suit the convenience of the feeder. Horses become used to 

 either method of watering, and irregularity' should be avoided, as 

 sudden changes are apt to prove disturbing. 



Judging bj' the average results, representing the practice of a large 

 number of successful American feeders, and also the results of many 

 tests at the experiment stations in different parts of the United States, 

 horses with light work consume on an average a ration furnishing per 

 da}' 0.99 pound of digestible protein and 14.890 calories of energy 

 per 1.000 pounds live weight. Similar values for horses at moderate 

 work are 1.49 pounds digestible protein and 22,710 calories, and for 



