40 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTEY. 



various tissues of the bod}'. Care must be taken iu selecting oats. 

 According to Stewart, the best oats are one year old, plump, short, 

 hard, clean, bright, and sweet. New oats are indigestible. Kiln- 

 dried oats are to be refused, as a rule, f»r even though originallv^good 

 this drying process injures them. Oats that have sprouted or fer- 

 mented are injurious and should never be fed. Oats are to be given 

 either whole or crushed — whole in the majority of instances; crushed 

 to old horses and those having defective teeth. Horses that bolt their 

 feed are also best fed upon crushed oats and out of a manger large 

 enough to permit of spreading the grain iu a thin layer. 



The average horse requires, in addition to the allowance of hay 

 above mentioned, about 12 cjuarts of good oats daih'. The best oats 

 are those cut about one week l)ef()re being f ulh' ripe. Not only is the 

 grain richer in nutritive materials at this time, but there is also less 

 waste from "scattering*' than if left to become dead ripe. Moldy 

 oats, like ha}' and straw, not only produce serious digestive disorders, 

 but have been the undoubted cause of outbreaks of that dread disease 

 in horses, already referred to, characterized by inability to eat or 

 drink, sudden paralysis, and death. 



Wheat and rye. — These grains are not to be used as food for 

 horses except in small quantities, bruised or crushed, and fed mixed 

 with other grains or ha}". If fed alone, in any considerable quantities, 

 they are almost certain to produce digestive disorders, laminitis 

 (founder), and similar troubles. They should never constitute more 

 than one-fourth of the grain allowance, and should always be ground 

 or crushed. 



Bran. — The bran of wheat is the one most used, and its value as a 

 feeding stuff is variously estimated. It is not to be depended upon if 

 given alone, but may be fed Avith other grains. It serves to keep the 

 bowels open. Sour bran is not to be given. It disorders the stomach 

 and intestines and may even produce serious results. 



Maize (corn).— This grain is not suitable as an exclusive food for 

 young horses, as it is deficient in salts. It is fed whole or ground. 

 Corn on the cob is commonly used as the food for horses affected with 

 " lampas." If the corn is old and is to be fed in this manner it should 

 be soaked in pure, clean water for ten or twelve hours. Corn is bet- 

 ter given ground, and fed in quantities of from 1 to 2 quarts at a 

 meal mixed with crushed oats or wheat bran. Be very particular in 

 giving corn to a^ horse that is not accustomed to its use. It must be 

 commenced in small quantities and very gradually increased. I know 

 of no grain more likely to produce what is called acute inaigestion 

 than corn if these directions are not observed. 



Linseed. — Ground linseed is occasionally fed with other foods to 

 keep the bowels open and to improve the condition of the skin. It is 

 of particular service during convalescence, when the bowels are slug- 



