FARM HORSES 275 



timothy; the chief objection is that it is dusty. If the hay 

 is well shaken before it is put into the feeding racks, this 

 objection will be overcome. The proportion of grain to rough- 

 age should be increased according to the amount of work 

 done by the horses the heavier the work, the larger the 

 proportion of grain. 



Since the horse has a relatively small stomach, he will 

 require feed several times during the day. A good authority 

 suggests the following methods for feeding work horses: 

 first, one-fourth of the daily ration in the morning some time 

 before the horse is put to hard work; another fourth at 

 noon; a third fourth at evening after the horse has had time 

 to rest and to eat some hay; the final fourth just before 

 retiring time. In the second method, the first two feedings 

 are the same as above; then after the day's work is over the 

 horse may be allowed to eat hay for an hour or so, when the 

 remaining half of the day's ration is fed. The hay ration 

 should be given about the same time and in about the same 

 proportion as the grain ration. 



The proper watering of horses is as important as feeding. 

 It is a good practice, during the working season, to let the 

 horse drink before he is given his morning meal. He will then 

 be less likely to over-indulge and thus interfere with his di- 

 gestion. It is a humane practice to give the horse water in 

 the middle of each working period, when he is doing hard 

 work in warm weather. After coming from work he should 

 be watered but should not be given too much, especially if 

 his body is very warm; he should then be fed; a thirsty horse 

 does not seem to relish his feed. 



Care of farm horses. When we consider that a consider- 

 able part of the cost of raising most farm crops is due to 

 horse labor, the importance of taking good care of work 



