THE HORSE 271 



replaced b^' straw. Idle work horses in winter can utilize some 

 straw, but tliey should not be compelled to subsist wholly on it 

 as it contains much fibrous material and is largely indigestible. 

 It should never be fed to hard-working animals. In relative 

 value for horse-feeding, the straws rank in the following order : 

 Oats, barley, wheat and rye, the latter being of little use as a 

 horse food. 



Silage. — This succulent food has been fed to the horse from 

 time to time with varying success. If the silage is good and is 

 fed in moderate quantities, it may be given to idle horses, to 

 idle brood mares and to gromng colts with safety. It should 

 not be fed to the hard-working animal, as he must consume too 

 much to get sufficient nutrients to avail him much energy because 

 of the high percentage of water. 



Roots and tiihers. — Carrots, rutabagas, potatoes and other 

 roots and tubers are occasionally fed to the horse. These foods 

 contain a high percentage of water and small amounts of 

 nutrients. The use of such materials for horses has been 

 attempted at different times with varying successes, but they 

 are not used to any great extent in this country, although quite 

 common in Europe. Carrots are often fed as ''conditioners." 

 For that purpose their value is high, but for actual nutrition it 

 is very low. 



Cost of the ration. — In formulating the ration for the work 

 horse due consideration should be given the cost, which will vary 

 with the size of the animal and the nature of the work to be per- 

 formed as well as with the cost of feed. Hays are ordinarily 

 much cheaper than grains, especially on farms. The hard-work- 

 ing horse, however, is unable to dispose economically of a large 

 proportion of bulky food, since time and energy are required 

 for mastication and digestion of rough food. 



In the choice of grains, their cost is given little or no con- 

 sideration by the average person. Thus oats are fed, although 

 they constitute the most expensive grain on the market and 

 equally good results would be obtained by feeding some cheaper 

 grain, in part at least. 



Every feeder should make a careful study of the foods avail- 

 able and choose those that best meet the conditions. 



Feeding the idle horse. — On the farm, most of the work comes 

 during the growing s(^ason. It is more economical and is per- 

 haps advisable that the idle horse be turned into a lot — if the 

 lot is well protected — and roughed through the winter, rather 

 than confined too closeh^ in a barn. As winter comes on, the 



