FORAGE. 45 



times because oats cannot be procured, sometimes because those grown 

 in the locality are inferior. 



Barley is a common substitute. It is more heating than oats, and is 

 apt to produce constipation, derangement of the bowels, and consequent 

 irritstion of the skin. On this account it is often desirable to combine 

 it with clover, lucerne, grass, or other green meat as a corrective. 



The same remarks apply to Gram, a species of pea, which is commonly 

 used in India as a substitute for oats. 



When a new description of grain is given in lieu of that to which the 

 horse has been accustomed, it is always desirable to introduce the change 

 gradually if possible. 



75. Beans. 



Beans contain more nutritive material than oats, but if given in excess 

 are heating. Beans are beneficial to horses employed on very hard work, 

 especially to old animals and to those which are a little overtasked. 



About two pounds per diem in addition to the usual quantity of oats 

 is a fair allowance, but the amount may be increased or diminished 

 according to circumstances. Beans weigh half as much again as oats, 

 and hence servants in giving them out by measure sometimes allow a 

 good deal more than they intend. 



Beans should be hard, dry, sweet, plump, sound, one year old, and 

 should weigh from 60 to 64 Ib. per bushel. They should invariably be 

 split, as otherwise they are apt to pass whole through the intestines. 

 English beans only should be given. The skins of foreign, especially of 

 Egyptian beans, are often so hard as to render them utterly indigestible 

 in the horse's stomach. 



Beans otherwise good are often damaged by an insect, which eats out 

 the kernel. This defect is easily seen. New beans are less nutritious 

 than old, and are moreover apt to produce flatulence and colic. 



75a. Peas. 



Peas contain nearly as much nutritive material as beans, and are 

 extensively used in some stables. Like beans they should be given split, 

 and should be plump, dry, sound, and at least one year old. 



756. Wheat. 



Wheat should not be given to horses if any other grain can be 

 procured. It is unsuited to the horse's stomach, and is likely to produce 

 serious intestinal derangements. In cases where no other grain can be 

 procured, wheat may be given if previously parched. The parching 

 process appears to destroy the viscidity of the gluten which causes this 

 grain to be so difficult of digestion in the stomach of the horse. 



