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PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY 



starting with an insufficient ration, and gradually increasing it 

 until it is sufficient to maintain the animal under the required 

 conditions. Both these methods have been used to a consider- 

 able extent for studying the rations for working horses. 



The following are standards for working animals, per day 

 and 1,000 pounds live weight: 



A working animal can utilize somewhat more fat than a fatten- 

 ing animal. 



Feeding Horses. 1 In some large horse establishments only 

 oat or wheat straw are used, as fewer cases of colic occur than 

 when hay is used. Oats, barley, and corn are used for con- 

 centrates, oats being preferred in northern climates and corn in 

 southern. Corn appears to be equally as good as oats. Care 

 should be taken that the food is not musty or damaged, and horses 

 should be allowed 2 to 2^/2 hours for eating and rest. 



Growing Animals. Growth is the normal condition of a young 

 animal. Equilibrium between income and outgo would be an 

 abnormal condition, if it could be secured. 



With proper food, young animals gain in weight much more 

 rapidly than mature animals with the heaviest fattening ration. 

 The animals do not have smaller maintenance requirements, but 

 they eat more in proportion to weight, and are able to store a 

 greater excess over their maintenance requirements, than grown 

 1 See Bulletin 125, Office Exp. Sta., U. S. Dept. Agr. 



