CHAP. IT. HORSE CALENDAR. 1053 



CHAPTER IV. 



HORSE CALENDAR. 



OCTOBER. 



TTNTIL recent years, October was looked upon as the hardest month 

 U for horses on the farm, but since wheat-growing has decreased, 

 the work is not so heavy. The horses were expected to improve in 

 condition during harvest, but they have not so good an opportunity 

 now that they have to work the reaping-machines as when the corn 

 was cut by hand. The advantages of autumn cultivation have become 

 more recognised, therefore horses are not allowed to be idle, so that 

 this is a period when horses should be receiving full rations. Though 

 the strain from wheat-sowing is less, the spring work is correspondingly 

 increased, so that all farmers are glad to get their work as forward 

 as possible. Horses in work require a more concentrated food than 

 bullocks, as their stomachs are so much smaller. The feeding must 

 therefore be frequent, and, as horses are somewhat dainty feeders, 

 small and frequent baits are preferable to giving the whole of a feed at 

 once. Chopped hay or straw mixed with the corn forms the best 

 ordinary manger-food, and oats are looked upon as the typical horse 

 corn. Beans, however, are stronger, and where the work is very hard 

 it is wise to mix a few with the oats. Maize is very good, but should 

 not be given alone, as it is more suitable for making fat than muscle, 

 and horses cannot do so much work on it as with either of the other 

 foods mentioned. When cart-horses are in full work a stone of corn 

 and 10 Ib. of hay is about an average daily ration ; but the size of the 

 horse, the quality of the corn, the quantity of work done, and the 

 skilfulness and carefulness of the horse-keeper, all have to be taken 

 into consideration, and the farmer must decide for himself from the 

 appearance of the animal whether there is need for more food or not. 

 In many well-managed stables chaffed hay is never given, but wheat or 

 oat-straw is chaffed, and the hay given long in the racks. Horses 

 should be watered frequently, and not be allowed to drink too much at 

 once. Heavy drinks of water are not good for animals when they are 

 brought in hot from work, but if they are allowed a small quantity it 

 will comfort them and will assist them in feeding. 



Short, newly-cut chaff is very dangerous for horses, especially if it 

 is given at once when they come in from work, as they bolt it too 

 quickly, and are then liable to colic. New chaff is dangerous at 

 all times, as, until the heating which always takes place during and 

 after cutting passes away, it is tough and indigestible. Colic is 

 perhaps more frequently caused by new tough chaff than by any- 

 thing else. The old custom of walking horses through ponds before 



