43 



Theoreticallj'' at least any sufficient and rational mixtuie of whole 

 some grains, by-products, roots, and forage crops, green and cured, 

 may be used to make up a ration, though there is a very general prej- 

 udice in favor of oats and haj^ corn and hay or corn fodder, and bar- 

 ley and hay (frequently that made from cereal grains), the first-named 

 ration being perhaps that most commonly regarded as satisfactory for 

 horses. A corn ration is very commonly fed in the middle West and 

 Southern United States — that is, in the corn-producing belt. The 

 barley ration is quite characteristic of the Pacific coast region. In 

 the semiarid regions of the United States Kafir corn and alfalfa have 

 proved to be of great value, owing to their drought-resisting qualities. 

 Both crops have been found useful for horse feeding. Of the two 

 alfalfa has been used much more commonly, and has given very satis- 

 factory results. 



Investigations have shown that it is often best to modify a ration, for 

 instance, by substituting corn wholly or in part for oats, so that while 

 the horses remain in good condtion, the cost of the ration is dimin- 

 ished. AVhere large numbers of horses are fed this is often a matter 

 of considerable importance. 



Generally speaking, horses digest their feed, and especially the 

 nitrogen-free extract and crude fiber in it, less thoroughly than 

 ruminants. 



Horses require a considerable amount of water daily, the quantity 

 varying with different seasons of the year, the amount of work per- 

 formed, etc. The time of watering, whether before or after feeding, 

 is a matter of little importance, and, generally speaking, may be regu- 

 lated to suit the convenience of the feeder. Horses become used to 

 either method of watering, and irregularity should be avoided, as 

 sudden changes are apt to prove disturbing. 



Judging by the average results, representing the practice of a large 

 number of successful American feeders, and also the results of many 

 tests at the experiment stations in different parts of the United States, 

 horses with light work consume on an average a ration furnishing per 

 day 0.99 pound of digestible protein and 14,890 calories of energy 

 per 1,000 pounds live weight. Similar values for horses at moderate 

 work are 1.49 pounds digestible protein and 22,710 calories. It is 

 believed that for horses at severe work larger amounts are required. 

 Generally speaking, these average values are less than those called for 

 by the commonly accepted German feeding standards for horses per- 

 forming the same amount of work, yet from what is known regarding 

 the American horses it seems fair to say that they were well fed. 



Additional experiments are much needed which will result in a series 

 of standards suited to American conditions. 



170 



