214 HORSE SENSK. 



a little oil meal, and begin feeding a very little ground oats and bran, 

 which we increase in quantity as its appetite craves, and the amount of 

 exercise will justify. It is not good to feed colts all they will often eat, 

 unless they have the liberty to take plenty of exercise. Well cured c'.over 

 hay is, also, an excellent feed for colts the first winter. 



What do you think of wild hay as feed for horses? 



Ans. Together with a good grain ration, wild hay, to the amount 

 of ten to fifteen pounds per day, we regard as excellent for horses at 

 work. Too many farmers feed far more hay than is good for horses. 

 Hay, like grain, should be fed as a ration, eaten up clean, and then wait 

 until the next meal. 



Is ground barley good horse feed? 



Ans. Ground barley is much like corn in quality, but stock of all 

 kinds become tired of it as a continuous feed. Horses, like people, like 

 variety; and should have it. 



Does it hurt a horse to give him water when he is warm if we do 

 rot let him stand? 



Ans. No; unless he is very thirsty, and it is soon after he has had 

 his ration of feed; and then it is more apt to produce colic than affect 

 him otherwise. 



How much water should a horse have at one time? 



Ans. As the capacity of the horse's stomach is only about three 

 and one-half gallons, it is not best to give more than that amount at any 

 one time. We always prefer to water horses before feeding, and then 

 the water will pass along into the bowels when the grain ration is fed; 

 whereas, if he is fed before water is given, the food is forced into the 

 bowels before the stomach has performed its part of the digestion, and 

 derangement is too apt to follow. 



Can a farmer raise colts and profit by them at the present prices? 



Ans. That depends largely on the character of colts to be raised. 

 If the farmer has the breeding stock to produce first-class horses of ai:y 

 of the three classes, viz., draught, carriage or road horses, we say he can, 

 provided he gives them the same care and attention that is required to 

 make a success in any other department of farming. 



What is the best thing to do with a horse easily frightened? 



Ans. This is usually due to an extreme nervous irritability, to a lack 

 of intelligence, harsh treatment or defective eyes. The only available 

 treatment is kind, uniform treatment; usually a mild bit, properly ad- 

 justed harness, sometimes open bridle works better, and on some horses 

 a blind bridle is more satisfactory. Little can be done if the eyes are 

 defective. 



