Feeding. 161 



particularly among cart-horses and those used in 

 cabs, omnibuses, &c. Oat straw is always to be 

 preferred, which in times when hay is very dear 

 or scarce, may very properly take its place. 

 It is possessed of nutrition to the extent of 6 per 

 cent., but this principle is not looked at primarily. 

 Straw should always be given cut into chaff. The 

 practice of giving unthrashed straw to working 

 horses is a most uncertain method, and greatly 

 prejudicial to their working qualities. The 

 quantity of grain they receive is doubtful, and no 

 method can be more destructive to the owner's 

 interest when work is required. In farm stables 

 a great amount of inconvenience takes place from 

 the practice ; it forms one of the causes of disease 

 in the category, which is a lengthened one. 



Bran contains as much nutrition as barley. 

 It is, however, very indigestible, and in conse- 

 quence furnishes none of its beneficial ingredients 

 to the system. Bran finds favour as a laxative. 

 For this purpose it is given with other kinds of 

 food in order to correct any tendency towards 

 constipation or accumulation within the intestines. 

 Bran contains much siliceous or sandy matter, 

 and to this is due the mechanical irritation which 

 proves so very useful when given with the food 

 daily. The quantity used is from 10 to 14* 

 pounds per week. 



Among horses doing heavy work and receiving 

 a great quantity of hard corn, bran is a most use- 

 ful article, being given as a mash once a week 



M 



