FEEDING WORK HORSES 137 



It is usually considered that horses which grind 

 down whole oats and fodder crops for themselves stand 

 severe work better than those receiving bruised oats 

 along with chaffed hay and straw. 



Barley. Not very suitable ; should not be fed unless 

 steeped or boiled. 



Wheat. Must be fed with caution, as it is so often 

 blamed for giving horses fever of .the feet (laminitis). 



Peas and Beans. These foods are rich in albu- 

 minoids, consequently they have the power of 

 developing and strengthening the muscles, which is all- 

 important for horses doing hard work. For fast work 

 they are especially useful, and their poverty in fat 

 makes them all the more suitable for this purpose. 



They may be included in the ration to the extent 

 of 2 to 3 Ibs. per day, but horses receiving them should 

 be regularly exercised if not at work, otherwise they 

 may become too lively. 



Bean meal is a rather sticky food when moistened 

 with water, and needs to be mixed with chop or bulky 

 concentrates like bran or dried grains, to open it up. 

 If fed in too large quantities it may cause flatulency or 

 colic. 



Maize. A useful food, but is very heating on 

 account of its comparative richness in fat (5 per cent), 

 and should not be fed alone. It is best used in combina- 

 tion with oats, bran, peas, beans, or dried grains, up 

 to 6 Ibs. per day. For slow work the proportion of 

 maize in the mixture should be higher than for fast 

 work. It is either fed as a meal or cracked. 



Bran. This bulky concentrate is extremely useful 

 for mixing with bean meal, maize, oats, etc. 



When made into a mash with hot water it has a 

 laxative effect, and it is a common practice on some 



