DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 39 



Second crop, or aftermath. — This is not considered good ha}' for 

 horses, but it is prized by some farmers as a good food for milch 

 cows, the claim being made that it inci-eases the flow of milk. The 

 value of hay depends upon the time of cutting, as well as care in the cur- 

 ing. Hay should be cut when in full flower, but before the seeds fall; 

 if left longer, it becomes dry and woody and lacks in nutrition. An 

 essential point in making hay is that when the crop is cut it should 

 remain as short a time as possible in the field. If left too long in the 

 sun it loses color, flavor, and dries or wastes. Smith asserts that one 

 hour more than is necessary in the sun causes a loss of 15 to 20 per 

 cent in the feeding value of hay. It is impossible to state any fixed 

 time that hay must have to cure, this depending, of course, upon the 

 weather, thickness of the crop, and many other circumstances; but it 

 is well known that, in order to preserve the color and aroma of hay, 

 it should be turned or tedded frequently and cured as quicJdy aspos- 

 sihle. On the other hand, ha}^ spoils in the mow if harvested too green, 

 or when not sufficiently dried. Mow-burnt hay produces disorder of 

 the kidneys and bowels and causes the horse to fall off in condition. 



The average horse on grain should be allowed from 10 to 12 pounds 

 of good hay a day. It is a mistake of many to think that horses at 

 light work can be kept entirel}^ on h^ij. Such horses soon become 

 pot-bellied, fall off in flesh, and do not thrive. The same is true of 

 colts; unless the latter are fed with some grain they grow up to be 

 long, lean, gawky creatures, and never make as good horses as those 

 accustomed to grain with, or in addition to, their hay. 



Straw. — The straws are not extensively fed in this country, and 

 when used at all the}^ should be cut and mixed with haj- and ground 

 or crushed grain. Wheat, rye, and oats straw are the ones most 

 used, and of these oats straw is most easilj^ digested and contains the 

 most nourishment. Pea and bean straw are occasionally fed to 

 horses, the pea being preferable, according to most writers. 



Chaff. — Wheat and rye chaff should never be used as a food for 

 horses. The beards frequently become lodged in the mouth or throat 

 and are productive of more or less serious trouble. In the stomach 

 and intestines they often serve as the nucleus of the "soft concre- 

 tions," which are to be described when treating of obstructions of the 

 digestive tract. 



Oats chaff, if fed in small quantities and mixed with cut hay or corn 

 fodder, is very much relished by horses. It is not to be given in large 

 quantities, as I have repeatedly witnessed a troublesome and some- 

 times fatal diarrhea following the practice of allowing horses or cattle 

 free access to a pile of oats chaff. 



Grains. — Oats take precedence of all grains as a food for horses, as 

 the ingredients necessary for the complete nutrition of the bod}- exist 

 in them in the best proportions. Oats are, besides, more easily 

 digested and a larger proportion absorbed and converted into the 



