HORSE FEEDING. 15 



were undertaken in the hibonitoi-y of t\w ('oiiiiHKjnie (/enerah' dex 

 omnihuK, and espeeiiUly in connection with the investioation.s conducted 

 with army horses, to study the circinnstances under which the substi- 

 tution can best bo made. It hasl)ccn ot't(Mi asserted that l)arh\y is not 

 as rich in protein as other cei-eal g-rains. Our most recent analyses 

 seem to establish this fact. However, l)arley is one of the j^-rains whose 

 composition is very variable, being noticeably influenced by the system 

 of cultivation followed. 



For ^0 years we have been feeding barley to horses. In the experi- 

 ments with saddle horses and draft horses we use the following- values 

 as representing the average composition of barley : Water 12. 93, protein 

 8.83^ fat 1.43, carbohydrates 73.06, and ash 3. 1 per cent. Certain kinds 

 of barlev of good quality showed on analysis from 9.37 to 11.87 per cent 

 of protein. The coefficient of digestibility of the protein of French 

 barley is 80.13, of African 71.07. The coefficient of digestibility of 

 carbohydrates of French barley is 66.2-1, of African 62.14. The gen- 

 eral practice is to substitute Imrlej^ for oats, weight for weight. In 

 our experiments we followed this custom, but soon observed that the 

 horses fed ])arley lost weight. It was therefore necessary to increase 

 the quantity of barley in order to supply the same amount of protein 

 and carbohydrates as in the oat ration. When this change was made, 

 the horses regained and preserved the same physical condition as those 

 fed oats. In general it ma}^ l)e said that only barley of good quality 

 should be fed. The barley bran is very tough, and we have noticed 

 that when barley of poor quality is fed the feces contain as much as 

 4.2 per cent of undigested material, while the feces of horses fed ])arley 

 of good quality contain scarcely any undigested grain. 



In conclusion, barley can replace oats, l)uta slightly greater amount 

 must be fed. This is especially true when rations are calculated as 

 closely as is the case with army horses. 



Ilorae heans and other leans. — The experiments made many years 

 ago for the Paris cab companies warrant the statement that when 

 beans replace oats only half the quantity should be used. Tests made 

 with army horses have coniirmed this conclusion. The chemical com- 

 position of beans shows why they are regarded as more nutritious 

 than oats alone. Beans may be advantageously fed to horses required 

 to perform long continued, sudden, or severe labor. The opinion is 

 prevalent in England that in hunting it is always possible to recognize 

 horses fed beans b}^ their great endurance. In accord with the practice 

 of the leading racing stables, we used a large proportion of beans in 

 the ration of young horses which were being trained. The results 

 obtained were most satisfactory. 



As shown by our numerous analyses, beans have the following aver- 

 age percentage composition: Water 18.07, protein 24.44, fat 1.06, nit- 

 rogeu-free extract 48.20, ci'ude fiber 6.0.5, and ash 2.7. The average 



