FEEDING AND CARING FOR HORSES 329 



age of colts. The best exercise is honest work, and there is no better 

 advertisement of a stallion than letting him be seen at work on the farm 

 or road. Even during the breeding season, a half day's work each day 

 is beneficial. Manifestly, judgment must be used in accustoming "soft'* 

 stallions to continued hard work. When real work is impossible, he 

 should be exercised on the road each day. The draft horse under or- 

 dinary circumstances should travel at least 5 miles a day, while the light 

 horse may jog and trot 6 miles or more. 



528. Feeding the stallion. The ration of the stallion should consist of 

 first class, wholesome feeds, supplying ample protein and mineral matter 

 for thrift and vigor. The choice of feeding stuffs will depend on the 

 particular locality, the same principles applying as in the case of the 

 work horse. A few combinations given by McCampbell 18 as satisfactory 

 in practice may prove suggestive. 



1. Oats; timothy or prairie hay. 



2. Oats, 4 ; corn, 6 ; and bran, 3 parts by weight ; timothy or prairie 

 hay. 



3. Oats, 4 ; corn, 6 ; linseed meal, 1 part ; timothy or prairie hay. 



4. Corn, 7; bran, 3; linseed meal, 1 part; timothy or prairie hay. 



5. Corn ; alfalfa hay 1/3 and prairie hay 2/3. 



No specific directions can be given as to the total amount of feed re- 

 quired, since this depends on the exercise the animal gets and whether he 

 is a "hard" or "easy" keeper. A safe rule is to keep the stallion in 

 good flesh, but not "hog fat," for this will injure his breeding powers. 

 Most horsemen advise that in the breeding season he be kept gaining just 

 a bit, rather than allowed to run down in flesh. While some recommend 

 feeding 3 times a day, 4 is preferred by others. In either case no more 

 should be fed than will be promptly cleaned up. 



529. General hints. On the care of the stallion, Sanders 19 writes, 

 "Anything that adds to the health, strength, and vigor of the horse will 

 increase his virility or sexual power, simply because the sexual organs 

 will partake of the general tone of the system ; and on the contrary, what- 

 ever tends to impair the health and vigor of the general system will have 

 a deleterious effect upon the sexual organs." The stall should be kept 

 clean, well lighted, and well ventilated. As a horse likes companionship, 

 it is well to have the stallion's stall near those of other horses. He should 

 be regularly and thoroly groomed, and frequent attention should be given 

 his feet. The idea that drugs, nostrums, or stock foods are necessary to 

 increase the ability of the horse to get foals is sheer nonsense. The most 

 successful grooms utilize only good food, carefully and regularly ad- 

 ministered. It is important to conserve the energies of the stallion by 

 regulation of the services, as otherwise many horses are injured. 



18 Kan. Bui. 186. 



19 Horse Breeding, pp. 144-146. 



