210 Missouri Agricultural Report. 



without injury if plenty of exercise is to be had. Roots of various 

 sorts are palatable and succulent and often improve the stallion's 

 allowance. Barley has been successfully used as a part of the grain 

 ration. Some complaint has been made against the use of linseed 

 oilmeal, and the writer would not advise its use, except in limited 

 quantities. Good sound oats with a small portion of bran make 

 the best grain ration for stallions. 



Whatever hay is fed must be clean and well cured. Timothy 

 and clover, a major portion of the former, has proven to be a very 

 satisfactory hay ration. Alfalfa in large quantities as a stallion 

 feed has been criticized, the objection being that it lessens the 

 ability of a stallion to "settle" his mares. Corn fodder has been 

 found to be inefficient. It contains too much crude fibre. Existing 

 conditions will determine the quantity of both hay and grain which 

 should be fed. A safe basis upon which to proceed is to feed one 

 pound of grain and one pound of hay per hundred pounds of live 

 weight. The amount should be sufficient to keep the horse in 

 vigorous and healthy condition, yet not fat and lazy. To maintain 

 this condition, the grain and hay will vary from the above given 

 standard with different individuals. 



If a stallion has been worked during the year, he will be in 

 shape to start the season as it approaches. If he has not been 

 worked, he should have had sufficient exercise, feed, and grooming 

 to have kept him in a vigorous condition. If he is to travel, the 

 problem of exercise is solved; if not, an eight or ten-mile drive 

 daily will be sufficient exercise. 



At all seasons of the year the stallion should be well groomed, 

 and have a light, clean, dry and well ventilated stable. Lack of 

 attention to these details causes skin diseases and various other 

 troubles of more or less serious nature. 



To sum up the cardinal principles in the success of caring for 

 a stallion, plenty of good, clean food and water, enough exercise 

 and grooming, along with a comfortable place to sleep, will, under 

 ordinary conditions, give very satisfactory results. 



CARE OP BREEDING MARES AND FOALS. 



The principles governing the care of mares are identical with 

 those governing the care of stallions but the customary treatment 

 differs greatly. On the average farm the problem of enough ex- 

 ercise is not troublesome. The great difficulty is to find help that 

 will handle a pair of broodmares carefully. Mares carrying foals 

 may work up to within ten days of the date of foaling, and be 



