78 THE ECONOMICS OF FEEDING HORSES 



And now the ration approximates sufficiently to the 

 standard ; the substitution of 10 lbs. of maize for 10 lbs. 

 of oats has added to its nutritive value, and, at the same 

 time, the cost has not been increased, but rather slightly 

 lessened. The saving in cost depends, of course, on the 

 market price of oats and maize, but with oats at 17s. 6d. 

 per 320 lbs., and maize at 25s. per 480 lbs., the saving 

 would be — 



10 lbs. oats, costing 6"562d. 

 10 lbs. maize „ 6-25d. 



•312d. 



or more than Jd. per day per horse. 



In feeding 100 horses this amounts to a saving of 

 £41 9s. in the year, but, in addition, there will be an 

 improvement in condition and greater capacity for work. 



Suppose, in practice, such a substitution were decided 

 upon, it is necessary to remember that the change should 

 he made gradually, otherwise digestive disorder and colic 

 will result. Further, the hay of such a ration must be 

 hard and possess a fair amount of fibre, so that it may 

 be advisable to substitute some sainfoin hay or mixture 

 for part of the meadow hay. 



The same methods can be applied in the case of a 

 ration in which the proportion of nitrogen is up to the 

 standard requirements but not excessive. In this case, 

 however, the foodstuff substituted for any part of the 

 ration must contain approximately as much digestible 

 protein as the food deleted. 



An example of this sort is furnished by the following : 

 The present ration consists of — hay, 16 lbs. ; oats, 20 lbs. 

 oat-straw, 4 lbs. By calculation from Table III. we see 

 that — 



