GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF HORSES 



when feeding a job horse, because unless satisfactorily foraged, 

 the animal will not perform its work as freely as it ought to do. 



It will be as well if we indicate some of the chief points of 

 quality in the various foods, so that those who are novices in the 

 art of purchasing forage will have a better idea of selecting the 

 good, rejecting indifferent, bad, and damaged fodder. Hay 

 that is one year old is the best, and should preferably be 

 composed of mixed grasses, or these and clover. In Scotland, 

 rye-grass hay is largely used, and horses seem to thrive on it 

 all right. Rye grass {Jolium perenne) ; Timothy (^phleum pra- 

 tense) ; meadow foxtail (alopecuris pratensis) ; crested dog's 

 tail (cynosurus cristatus) ; the smooth-stalked meadow grass 

 {poa pratensis) ; tall fescue (Jestuca clatter) ; and sweet- 

 scented vernal grass are the most useful feeding grasses for 

 horses, and one, or more of these should be contained in every 

 good sample of hay. 



As there are other grasses equally useful, it is advisable to 

 briefly mention some of these. 



Cynosurus Cristatus (Crested Dog's Tail). — The nutritive 

 properties of this grass are greatest when it is in flower. It is 

 found in the best natural pastures, but prefers good quality 

 dry land. 



Alopecuris Pratensis (Meadow Foxtail Grass). — When this 

 grass is mown or eaten down it produces quick " foggage." It 

 is very early, and an excellent grass for permanent pasture. 

 Prefers a moderately moist soil. 



Dactylis Glomerata (Cock's-foot Grass). — This is a first class 

 grass provided that it is not allowed to get coarse. If it does so, 



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