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410 AMEKICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



then moisteDed for an hour at least, and, finally, rolled in meal 

 or provender. By this course, all its injurious effects upon 

 the glands and throat will be entirely prevented. 



Dry hay of all sorts should be prepared in the same way. 

 Time can not be better employed than in providing moist 

 feed for the horse to eat. To many the idea of chopping 

 hay for the regular feed may seem novel, and, perhaps, amus- 

 ing. But let the farmer try ii^ for one winter, and note the 

 improved condition of his horse, as well as the great saving 

 of feed, and he will fully indorse the opinion that time can 

 not be spent to better advantage. Corn-stalks and fodder, 

 though they may be greatly improved by chopping, can not 

 be made suitable food for the horse. 



The condition in which the hay and fodder are secured is 

 of the first importance. The grass should be cut about the 

 time of maturity, or a little before, while still in bloom, and 

 before it becomes dead ripe. Its juices are then just right to 

 make the heaviest and best hay, which will keep better, re- 

 main sweeter, and be more palatable than if cut either earlier 

 or later. If cut when quite immature, there is a lack of 

 strength and sweetness, as well as a loss in weight ; and if 

 harvested after the period we have indicated, the hay is 

 tougher, more woody in its texture, and neither so nutritious 

 nor pleasant eating. 



Another thing of essential importance, in regard to secur- 

 ing the hay and fodder, is to protect it from the weather, and 

 as soon as it is dry to put it in the barn. If the sun shines, 

 it is seldom that hay requires to remain out in the field 

 more than twenty-four hours, and then it should be carried 

 into the barn. " But," say some farmers, " what shall we do 

 who have no barns?" That farmer is to be pitied who can 

 not contrive some means of putting his horse's provisions 

 under proper shelter. He has no business to own a horse, 

 and ought to sell his stock to some better and more success- 

 ful manager. It is as important to have a barn as a horse, 

 and nearly as much so to keep the latter's provisions under 

 shelter as those of his master. The horse's food can not be 



