248 Effects of Grass on Colts [May, 



gab ^fftcts of dlrass on Colts. 



[" The American Veterinary Journal,'' edited by Dr. Geo. H. Dadd, Boston, has 

 come to our " excliange " table, where it is right welcome. For it is a journal of 

 great usefulness, and ought to be in the hands of every man who owns, or expects 

 to own a good horse. The editor is evidently a scientific man, and therefore has 

 a reason for the faith that is in him ; and his Journal is, consequently, free from 

 that empiricism that has heretofore characterized too many of our works on the 

 Subject of Veterinary practice. 



The following article from that journal we give to our readers, as containing 

 some judicious and seasonable suggestions on a subject of much practical import- 

 ance. — Eds.] 



" When horses are turned out to grass in tlie spring of the year, the 

 succulent nature of the food causes them to purge, often to a great 

 extent; this is considered by many persons a most desirable event — a 

 great misconception. The herbage is overcharged with sap and moisture, 

 of an acrimonious nature, to such an extent that all can net be taken up 

 by the organs destined for the secretion of urine, or by the absorbent 

 vessels of the body ; the superfluous fluid therefore passes off through the 

 intestines with the indigestible particles of food, and thus the watery 

 fgeces are thrown ofi". Flatulent colic, or gripes is a frequent attendant. 

 The system is deranged ; but the mischief does not terminate here. If 

 the purging is continued, a constitutional relaxation of the bowels is 

 established, very debilitating to the animal, and often difl&cult to control. 

 I am so decidedly opposed to unrestricted allowance of luxuriant grass 

 to horses at any age, that nothing could induce me to give it to them. 

 After the second year, hay should form a considerable portion of the 

 daily food in summer, to every animal intended for hunting or riding. 



" If a horse is supported entirely upon the grass which he collects in 

 a rich pasture field, or upon that which may be cut and carried to him 

 in his paddock, he must consume a much greater bulk than of hay, in an 

 equivalent time, to afford nourishment to the system. Grass being very 

 full of sap and moisture, it is very rapidly digested, consequently the 

 horse must be continually eating it. This distends the stomach and 

 bowels, and the faculty of digestion is impaired ; for the digestive organs 

 require rest as well as other organs of the body, if they are to be pre- 

 served in perfect condition. By the custom of grazing, the muscular 

 system is enfeebled, and fat is substituted. This may escape the notice 

 of superficial observers, who do not mark the distinction between the 

 appearance of a fat, and a muscular animal ; who conceive, that so the 

 bones are covered, and the points are rounded, all that is requisite has 



