10 May, 1918.1 A Few Hints on the Feeding of Horses. 315 



A FEW HIXTS ON THE FEEDING OF HORSES. 



By W . M. Lerem, G.M.V.C, Veterinary Officer. 



Inquiries regarding the feeding of horses are often made by people 

 new to farm work, and it is with the intention of helping the novice 

 that these notes have been written. There is a right and a wrong way 

 of doing most things, and in the feeding of horses, the right way 

 means an improved condition of the animals and a corresponding 

 increase in the work done by them; whilst the alternative is animals 

 in low condition or ill-health, and no matter how willing they may be, 

 they are physically unfit to do the same amount of work as horses that 

 are properly fed. 



The first and most important matter to attend to is to see that the 

 horse's teeth are in proper condition, so that when he is supplied with 

 feed he will be able to masticate it properly. There are several signs 

 which point to the teeth being out of order, such as dropping food when 

 eating, excessive noises from the sharp edges of the teeth grinding 

 together, or else no noise at all — -showing that the grain is not being 

 crushed. Failure to masticate the food means that the full amount of 

 nutriment will not be extracted therefrom ; proper digestion will not take 

 place, followed by loss of condition, and probably attacks of colic, and 

 at the same time, great pain from the sharp edges of the teeth lacerating 

 the tongue and cheeks. 



In order to examine the teeth of a horse a gag should be placed in 

 his mouth and any irregularity corrected by the careful use of a tooth 

 rasp. 



Regarding the feed itself, only one quality should be purchased, 

 and that the best, which is the cheapest in the end, for a smaller quan- 

 tity will supply the requisite amount of nourishment, and keep the horse 

 in better health. 



The staple diet of a working horse should consist of chaff, oaten or 

 wheaten, the former for preference, oats, bran, and oaten hay, varied 

 by an occasional feed of sliced carrots, lucerne, fresh or dried, green 

 stuff, such as green barley, oats, &c. Owing to the small size of the 

 stomach of the horse, the feed should be rich and not too bulky, which 

 will allow it to remain long enough in the stomach for partial diges- 

 tion, instead of over-flowing into the bowel too soon. 



When a horse is turned out at grass, no other feed is necessary, 

 unless there is a shortage of grass, when a little may be necessary. On 

 bringing the animal into the stable for work, some care is necessary, 

 as a sudden change to dry fodder is harmful. For a few days the feed 

 should consist of chaff and bran well damped, and without the addition 

 of any grain. At first the work should be light and the horse's muscular 

 condition hardened. Grain may be given gradually till the animal is 

 on a full ration. If low in condition, steamed barley or oats should 

 be mixed with the chaff and bran, and sliced carrots given for a change. 

 Lucerne chaff (soaked previously in water over night) may be mixed 

 with, or substituted for, the oaten chaff. When an animal is stable 

 fed, light work or regular exercise is essential and helps to improve the 

 condition. 



Regular feeding is another important point to be noted. Four 

 feeds a day ought to be given, the first being put in the feeder early 

 enough to allow of its being finished before harnessing up. The first 



