lUO The House Industky in New Yoki-: State 



because it is less expensive than corn, and supplies quite as much 

 energy. Pound for pound, its feeding value compares favorably 

 with corn, but this does not mean that it can be substituted pound 

 for pound in the ration. It is clear, however, that in case molasses 

 is selected as a feed for horses it should be purchased in bulk, 

 and not through the agency of mixed feeds. Certainly, molasses 

 has been used to market a great nuuiy products as horse feeds 

 that would not be utilized if the buyer of the feed had a definite 

 knowledge of the particular feed that he was buying. Again, 

 molasses should not be used extensively for idle horses, and in 

 any event not more than three pounds should be fed per day. It 

 is an excellent conditioner, and has the effect of smoothing the 

 coat, when proper grooming accompanies its use as a feed. 



As suggested above, a combination of the foodstuffs named 

 undoubtedly makes the best feed. \'ariety should be practiced by 

 changing the kinds and amounts of the ingredients ; likewise it is 

 permissible to omit certain feeds at a season of the year when they 

 are expensive or are not available. A very useful combination 

 for work horses doing daily work would be as follows : 200 pounds 

 oats, 100 pounds wheat bran, 100 pounds cracked corn, 50 pounds 

 molasses, 35 pounds oil meal. 



It would not be practical to mix the molasses with these feeds 

 during the warm weather, nor would it be wise to use this mixture 

 during the coldest winter weather. Molasses might be omitted 

 from the ration during this time, or it could be mixed w^th 

 water — five parts of water to one part of molasses — and either 

 poured over the grain after it is in the feed box or sprinkled 

 over the cut hay in a suitable manger. 



SALT AND WATER 



Salt should be kept before the animals at all times. Horses 

 should be watered previous to feeding. There is a difference in 

 opinion so far as this practice is concerned, but it stands to reason 

 that since water does not require digestion, it would be much better 

 to let them have their drinking water previous to feeding, and thus 

 enable the digestive system to work more leisurely in preparing the 

 grain and roughage for assimilation. 



