78 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



caused by a shower of rain ; or the hay may be bleached, sap- 

 less, and deficient in aroma, the result of being exposed to bad 

 weather. When slightly damaged, such hay may be given as 

 food ; but when affected to any extent, it is only fit for bed- 

 ding. Hay is made dusty from exposure to bad weather, or 

 to the sun, or it may be due to decay. "Mow-burnt" hay is the 

 result of undue fermentation in the stack, its colour being 

 changed from brown to a very dark brown, almost black, the 

 hay itself being dry and brittle, with a very pungent taste and 

 powerful odour. When only slightly mow-burnt, horses do not 

 dislike it, as it is sweet, owing to its containing a large amount 

 of sugar, while the aroma is pleasant ; but when badly burned, 

 the sugar has become converted into acetic acid, has to a large 

 extent lost its nutritious properties, and causes derangement of 

 the digestion. Horses soon become tired of mow-burnt hay, 

 which acts as a diuretic, and if continued for any time produces 

 excessive thirst, loss of condition, listlessness and weakness, 

 and the animal is in a condition to contract serious disease. 

 " Musty " hay is that which has been exposed to wet and damp, 

 either in the rick or before being stacked ; mould is more or less 

 abundant on it, the odour is unpleasant, and it has a bitter 

 taste. It should never be given as food if possible, as it is 

 liable to produce disease ; if it must be given, it should be in 

 small quantities, after being dressed with a solution of common 

 salt, or it should be exposed to steam at a high temperature. 



The artificial grasses which are made into hay are chiefly 

 red and white clover ; Swedish, Italian, and yellow clover ; 

 vetches, lucerne, and sainfoin. When these artificial grasses 

 are converted into hay, the proportion of albuminoids per cent, 

 is nearly equal to that of oats, and much greater than in the 

 natural grasses, though they contain less fats, carbo-hydrates, 

 and phosphates ; the flesh-producing elements in clover are given 

 as 13-52 for clover and 8 '44 for meadow hay. The artificial 

 grasses are too rich to be given alone in large quantity, as 



