ALFALFA FOR HORSES. 375 



many years no other hay has been in use. In truth 

 the horses refuse to eat timothy hay, having become 

 accustomed to alfalfa. Before alfalfa came into use 

 there was nearly always one or more horses with 

 heaves, but since we have had alfalfa hay we have 

 not had one case of this disease. Oolic among 

 horses is the bane of the farmer and horseman. Once 

 the veterinary bills were a considerable item on 

 Woodland Farm. Now colic is a rare thing, and 

 would probably never occur again if the men did 

 not occasionally feed injudiciously of corn, or over- 

 feed with alfalfa hay. 



Less Grain Needed. We have learned that very 

 much less grain is required where alfalfa is fed, not 

 much more than half the usual ration. Why should 

 not this be true? Alfalfa itself is as rich, very 

 nearly, as wheat bran, itself a good grain food for a 

 horse. Alfalfa is nearly as^ rich a food as oats. 

 Horses will do a great deal of hard work with no 

 grain at all if they have first-class alfalfa hay, but 

 I do not recommend this. The horse has a small 

 stomach and not much time for masticating his food. 

 A small grain ration with his alfalfa hay is right. 



Action on Kidneys. It has been urged that the 

 foundation for this rumor or belief is that when a 

 horse unused to alfalfa is fed it for <the first time 

 it does stimulate its kidneys so that there is a 

 noticeable increase in the amount of urine voided. 

 I think this never really injures the animal and 

 the symptoms disappear in a short time. If al- 



