76 



THE ECONOMICS OF FEEDING HORSES 



would still leave the nitrogenous ratio of the ration at 

 a suitable level. In that case the food costing least per 

 heat unit (see Table IV., p. 73) would be chosen, and the 

 necessary amount, containing the equivalent in starch 

 of the 2 or 3 lbs. of oats, would be substituted. Usually, 

 unless prices were altogether exceptional, the food 

 selected would be maize. 



To take an example, a number of horses weighing on 

 an average 1,500 lbs., and doing severe work, are fed 

 on the following ration: Hay, 15 lbs.; oats, 15 lbs.; 

 beans, 3 lbs.; bran, 1 lb.; and it is desired to find a 

 substitute for part of the oats. The oats are costing 

 17s. 6d. per 320 lbs., and the foodstuff substituted must 

 cost no more, and yet be higher in nutritive value than 

 the oats deleted, for the horses are losing condition. In 

 such a case the first step is to find the real value of the 

 original ration — i.e., the one being fed at the time, by 

 the method described in Chapter IV. 



By calculation from Table III. we see that — 



Now, by reference to Chapter V. (p. 48) we see that 

 the standard requirements for a horse weighing 1,500 lbs., 



* Digestible nutrients other than protein = 



Fats X 2-3 -H Carbo-hydrates + Digestible j&bre. 



