94 



ANIMAL xMANAGEMENT. 



Feeding Oats. 



Oats are the easiest grain to feed to horses ; they thrive on them 

 in the best possible manner, and are able to consume and digest a 

 larger quantity of them than any other grain, without special prepara- 

 tion, and without their digestion becoming upset. With horses 

 Amount to in strong work the amount which they may be given is practically as 

 be given, much as the animal cares to consume, and provided that a suitable 

 quantity of other forage is included in the ration, this will usually vary 

 from 12 to 16 lbs. per day. For animals in moderate work an average of 

 10 lbs. per day suffices, and working horses when rested for a length of 

 time may be given 4 to 6 lbs. daily. Whilst oats may be given whole it 

 Advantage is a decided advantage to have them bruised previously, not because the 

 of crush- horse is unable to grind them with his teeth, but to ensure that the husk 

 ing oats, of each individual grain is split so that any which do escape mastication 

 may be readily acted upon by the gastric and other fluids during the 

 process of digestion. Animals which eat hurriedly, either from natural 

 greediness or for fear that their neighbours may rob them, are naturally 

 inclined to swallow their grain ration without due mastication, and 

 especially is this the case in large bodies of horses fed in open stables. 

 How to The grain should not be crushed flat, but merely have the husk split ; it 

 crush. is indeed a fault to crush it too nmch, as the cont:\ined flour may be 



thereby lost. Crushing is especially useful with the small, hard, foreign 

 varieties, which are even more liable to be swallowed whole than the 

 Steamed larger, plumper, and somewhat softer British oats. Oats can be steamed 

 oats. or boiled, but as a general rule this is not to be advocated, such methods 



being usually more suitable to the needs of the hospital than the troop 

 stable. 



Maize. 



'Mealies." Known as " mealies" in South Africa, and in most parts of North and 

 South America as " corn," maize is in those countries the staple horse 

 grain. It is used, though not extensively, in India, and its introduction 

 into this country is of comparatively recent date. Containing as it does 

 a very small percentage of mineral sorts, it is admittedly, even where it is 

 in general use, an unsuitable food for the rearing of young stock ; but 

 experience has thoroughly proved that it produces excellent results in all 

 classes of working horses when it is judiciously fed. 



