52 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



FEEDS AND FEEDING 



General: There is no snbject nnder the Care of Animals which is of 

 greater importance than FEEDS AND FEEDING. 



The health and condition of animals depends largely npon the kind 

 of food given them, the manner in which it is prepared, and the hours 

 of feeding. 



It is truthfully said of the race horse, that the race is won in the 

 stable, by the selection, preparation and administration of his feed. 

 Similarly, in the army battles and campaigns are to a certain extent 

 won or lost in the stable. 



To feed so as to obtain the best or even good results requires a 

 knowledge of: the digestive system of animals; the food elements 

 or constituents required for their sustenance ; the correct proportions 

 of these elements ; the ])roper methods of preparation ; and the best 

 hours for feeding. Also a knowledge of the characteristics of good 

 and poor qualities of foods is necessary. This knowledge alone will 

 not insure good results, as much experience is required for one to 

 know what and how to feed under the various conditions found in 

 the service. It is only by careful study of the subject, and by paying 

 close attention to the condition of animals under different feeds that 

 one can hope to become efficient in the art of feeding. 



The Digestive System: The organs of the digestive system form 

 what is called the alimentary canal, and consist of the mouth, pharynx, 

 esophogus, small and large intestines and the anus. 



The stomach is the principal organ of digestion. It is very small 

 as compared with the size of the horse and the amount of food he 

 consumes. Its capacity is from three to four gallons. 



The intestines are also organs of digestion but have a much greater 

 capacity than the stomach, being some ninety feet in length. 



Food is taken into the mouth and masticated. It passes through the 

 pharynx and esophogus into the stomach where it is partially digested, 

 and prepared for complete digestion in the intestines. In the intes- 

 tines digestion is complete and the nutriment and moisture extracted. 

 The residue is discharged through the anus as dung. 



The time required for stomach digestion varies with the class of 

 food. Grain being a concentrated diet requires approximately twice 

 as long as hay, and as they do not mix during the process, they 

 should not be in the stomach at the same time, except when fed 

 together as chop. 



For this reason, hay being the more quickly digested, should pre- 

 cede the grain ration, or else follow it by an hour. The latter is best 

 when a large hay feed is given as in the evening. 



A small feed of loose hay shortly before the grain is advisable 

 since it greatly stimulates the saliva and stomach secretions and is 

 an aid to digestion in furnishing the bulk necessary for the best 

 action of the stomach. 



Water remains in the stomach for only a short time. It is passed 

 qm'ckly into the intestines where it is collected in a part of the large 



