14 THE HORSE. 



they at first cause scouring. If allowed to get too old before 

 being cut, green forage crops become stenimy and compara- 

 tively dry and tasteless ; under such circumstances, they have 

 lost much of their cooling and laxative effects, and are not 

 relished nearly so mach by the horses as they are when quite 

 young and full of sap. The remarks made in regard to green 

 forage crops apply equally to pasture-grass. 



Miscellaneous Foods — The list of miscellaneous 

 foodstuffs, suitable for horse-feeding purposes, includes the 

 following : Bran, mangolds, swedes, carrots, linseed cake, lin- 

 seed mea.1, and dried brewers' gi-ains. 



Bran is a useful food for young horses, and is greatly 

 relished by them. Bran fed to horses should be what is 

 known as '' coarse " bran ; it should be quite dry when bought 

 and in sound condition, being free from any mouldy smell. If 

 bran is stored in a damp place, it will soon develop mouldiness, 

 and it is then unwholesome. When mixed with hot water and 

 given as a mash, bran acts as a laxative, and relaxes the 

 bowels. Bran-mashes are invaluable in the stable during tJie 

 winter months, when no green forage is available, as, by 

 fe-eding them regularly, the bowels of the horses can be kejit 

 properly open, constipation is prevented, and the system 

 lemains in a cool condition. 



MangelSi swedes, and carrots, which collectively are 

 termed "' roots," are excellent laxative foods for horses. Carrots 

 are the most palatable, and contain considerably more nourish- 

 ment than mangels or swedes. They are, however, too ex- 

 pensive to allow of their being fed to farm-horses. If any 

 carrots are grown at home, it is certainly advisable to sell 

 them if a fair figure can be obtain.>d for them. Mangels and 

 swedes are about equal in their merits as food for horses, 

 though the latter usually relish a mangel better tlian a swede. 

 Mangels that have been freshly raised, and which have not 

 " ripened " in tlie clamp are a] it to induce scouring, and, under 

 such conditijiisv they must be very sparingly fed. It is not 



