236 CYCLOPEDIA OF UVB STOCK AMD COMPJLETE STOCK DOCTOR. * 



to the team at three feeds. If this is not enough, the allowance may be 

 increased to thirty-six pounds. If the corn be on the ear, thirty-five 

 pounds is the weij^ht of the half bushel. In every case a half bushel of 

 com Is the equivalent of each bushel of oats fed. In other words, the 

 stable uses seventy pounds of car corn, or fifty-six pounds of shelled corn, 

 for every two bushels of oats discontinued. The change, however, should 

 never be made suddenly, but gradually. Barley, rye and wheat are not 

 injurious to the horse, but we must not feed more pounds than the regu- 

 lar ration of the grain previously fed. If ground feed is given, one-fiftb 

 less in weight will be re(j[uired. 



3X. Hay and Straw. 



As before stated, none but sound hay should be used. Timothy, Blue 

 grass, (poa pratensis or poa compressa), Vow\ meadow, (poa serotina). 

 Orchard grass, (dactT/Iis glomerata), and Red Top, all make excellent 

 hay. Clover should never he fed to horses ; it is always dusty, and gen- 

 erally badly cured. Hungarian grass, if cut just when in blossom, may 

 be given once a week ; if fed constantly, or if too ripe, it acts strongly 

 on the urinary organs. 



Straw should always be used for bedding — oat-straw is the best ; and 

 a feed of sweet, clean, bright straw is relished occasionally by the horse. 

 We once kept twenty pairs of farm mules all winter on bright straw and 

 com, with a feed once a week of Hungarian hay, and never had them 

 come through better. 



X. Grooming. 



Stable tools are to be used, not abused ; nor is the animal to be tor- 

 tured with them. The groom who strikes a horse on the hocks, or other 

 part of the body, with the curry-comb or other stable tool, should be 

 discharged instantly. The groom who uses the curry-comb to the posi- 

 tive discomfort of ahorse, or about the joints, should be admonished, 

 and if he persist he should be discharged. The use of the curry-comb 

 is simply to loosen the scurf and dirt, and to clean the brush. The 

 curry-comb should be carried lightly and In circles over the body, and 

 then a good bristle brush should be used to clean the horse. The brush 

 should be usod with firm, long strokes, and after every two or three 

 strokes It should be drawn over the comb to free it of dust. Very shorts 

 haired and tender-skinned horses require little more than the brush, to be 

 followed with a damp wisp of straw, finishing with cloths. The wisp 

 and cloth should always be used to finish a horse. 



If the legs are dirty and wet, they should be washed clean and rul)l)ed 

 dry ; if they are dirty, clean them with the brush. Be particular about 



