316 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 May, 1918. 



three feeds, given early in the morning, noon, and after work is finished, 

 may consist of chaff 5 lbs., oats 3 lbs., bran 1 lb., per feed, for each 

 1,000' lbs. weight of the horse. It is a good plan to give a feed of hay 

 last thing at night, as it takes the animal longer to eat this, and keeps him 

 contented through the night. If the chaff be dry and dusty, it is advis- 

 able to damp it slightly. If the feed be damped, care must be taken 

 that the feeders are always thoroughly clean, as any damp bran that is 

 left will quickly sour and spoil the next feed. Horses should never be 

 given -as much as they can eat, as over-feeding will tend to set up diges- 

 tive troubles, indicated by colic, skin eruptions, loss of appetite and 

 sluggishness. Kather give them a little less, and they will be ready for 

 the next feed. If resting in the stable instead of working, immediately 

 reduce the oat ration and make up with extra chaff and bran. Some 

 horses eat less than others of the same weight; therefore measure out 

 their feed accordingly, and it will be worth the little extra trouble 

 involved. 



A lump of rock salt in the feeder is greatly relished by the majority 

 of horses and is very beneficial. 



Two or three packets of Epsom salts, dissolved in a little water, and 

 mixed with the feed, if given occasionally, will act as a laxative, and 

 improve the general standard of health. 



Watering. — Undoubtedly the best time to give a horse drink is before 

 he is fed, because, if watered just after feeding, a lot of undigested 

 food is washed out of the stomach into the intestines, and may give 

 rise to an acute attack of indigestion or colic. Always allow the horse 

 to have a plentiful supply of cool, clean water, and if a trough or tub 

 be used, keep it clean, and in a shady place. 



Stallion Feeding. — Stallions suffer more from injudicious feeding 

 than any other horses, and the results are very noticeable, especially in 

 draught stock. Swollen and thickened hocks, often badly scarred in 

 front where they have broken out, thickened legs, and pasterns dis- 

 figured by greasy swellings, are only too common. This is caused by 

 over-feeding on rich heating food, insufficient exercise, and the want of 

 laxative diet. Every stallion owner naturally likes to see his horse in 

 good condition, and generally tries to put this on too quickly at the 

 beginning of the season, by over-feeding. 



The horse should be gradually brought on to the hard grain diet, 

 and always be given a ration of carrots, green lucerne, &c., along with 

 the other feed. Laxative doses of Epsom, salts occasionally, and plenty 

 of walking exercise, are very necessary. 



The following is the scale of feeding for Australian military 

 horses : — 



