334 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



On fattening horses, Cochel 22 writes: "The cost of gains is not the 

 only factor which determines the profit or loss from the operation. 

 Market values fluctuate quite widely during the time necessary for feed- 

 ing, hence there may be considerable profit or loss due entirely to this 

 factor. Horses that are kept in idleness are quite apt to become 

 blemished or injured on account of playfulness in the stable. The risk 

 of sickness is greater than with cattle, sheep, and hogs. Many horses are 

 unable to stand a long period of forced feeding because of constitutional 

 weakness. Good judgment in buying and selling is necessary. All other 

 conditions being equal, a close study of the selection of rations and 

 methods of feeding will determine the success or failure of those who 

 finish horses for market.'' 



535. Fitting for shows. All show horses should be in good flesh, draft 

 classes especially. The advice above given for fattening horses will apply 

 to fitting draft horses for show, except that they must be exercised daily 

 to keep their muscles in good trim. All show horses should be carefully 

 fed, groomed, and exercised to bring them into proper ' * bloom. ' ' Train- 

 ing also counts for much in the show ring. 



IV. FEED AND CARE OF THE LIGHT HORSE 



536. Feeding the carriage and saddle horse. Style and action are pri- 

 mary requisites with these horses, economy of feeding standing second. 

 Good drivers in this country still assert that the oat-fed horse exhibits 

 mettle as from no other feed. Tho oats easily excel any other single grain 

 or concentrate, there are numerous instances in which a properly com- 

 bined concentrate mixture has given just as good results, as is shown in 

 the preceding chapter. From 8 to 10 Ibs. of oats or their equivalent, di- 

 vided into 3 feeds, should suffice for concentrates, the evening meal being 

 the largest. In case the horse is at all constipated, a bran mash should be 

 given. The hay is usually fed long, for the carriage horse has ample time 

 for his meals. From 10 to 12 Ibs. of hay is a liberal allowance, bringing 

 the total ration within 18 to 22 Ibs. The carriage horse must be trim in 

 body, and so cannot consume much bulky food, yet we should not forget 

 that the ration must have volume in order that the digestive functions 

 proceed normally. (107) With this class of horses the feeder must also 

 guard against overfeeding of laxative foods, such as clover and alfalfa 

 hay, or bran. Carriage horses are usually fed too much and exercised 

 irregularly or too little, and mainly for these reasons their period of sat- 

 isfactory service is often brief. (466) On days when they are not driven, 

 oats should be fed only at noon, with a bran mash morning and evening, 

 no difference being made in the quantity of roughage fed. 



537. Feeding the trotter. The single requisite of speed makes the 

 carrying of every pound of useless body weight, and more especially of 

 feed, a serious matter in the management of the trotting horse. There 



2a Pei. Bui. 117. 



