126 THE FAMILY HORSE. 



nearly twice the amount of flesh-forming aliment that is supplied in 

 hay ; from which it follows that by its use we can supply the ma- 

 terial necessary for the maintenance of the animal without subject- 

 ing the stomach to a great distension with food at any one time. 

 Again, it will be observed that the grains contain about one-half 

 more respiratory food in a given bulk than hay and grass, and not 

 more than one-fourth the amount of indigestible woody fiber, so 

 that in the grains we have a doubly nutritious food with incompar- 

 ably less superfluous matter, and capable of more prompt and thor- 

 ough digestion. Thus the stomach is soon cleared, and the animal 

 is fit for use sooner after a meal. Hence, the faster and severer the 

 work which a horse is expected to perform, the sounder and more 

 nutritious should be his food. His oats should be increased and 

 his hay diminished. Then the movements of the body and limbs 

 are not impaired, as when fed on bulky food. 



By careful experiments, it has been found a ration containing 

 twelve to thirteen pounds of digestible nutrients, and having a 

 nutritive ratio of one to seven {i. e., one pound of albuminoids to 

 seven of carbohj^drates, which includes the fat and nitrogen free 

 extract), is sufficient for a horse weighing twelve hundred pounds, 

 and performing light work, such as a family horse would be ex- 

 pected to do. Of this amount there should be digestible substances: 



Protein 1.8 pounds. 



Carbohydi-ates -11.2 " 



Fat-- - -- 6 " 



The question, From what sources are we to obtain these ? brings 

 us to the consideration of the most common foods of the horse. 



Pasture Grass. — Though no person should allow the family 

 horse to depend upon grass alone, yet, owing to its being his natural 

 food, he should not be deprived of its use entirely. When kept at 

 work, however, it should not be fed to him, owing to its loosening 

 effects upon the bowels ; but when not in use, grass, with a portion 

 of good hay and grain, forms an excellent ration. 



Timothy.— This is probably the most valuable of all grasses for 

 hay. It is extensively cultivated, contains a large amount of nu- 

 tritive matter, and forms one of the best foods for horses, if cut in 

 the bloom, and properly cured. 



Oat Straw, if cut at the proper time, forms a feeding stuff not 

 to be despised. Good straw is most decidedly better than poor hay. 

 Its chief value lies in its non-nitrogenous matter, of which it fur- 

 nishes a cheap supply, and in combination with feeding stuffs which 

 can supply its deficiency in protein it forms a valuable fodder. 



