BRAX. 161 



fed on a large amount of grain, especially when the grain 

 is highly nitrogenous (p. 122). In such cases, bran should of 

 course be given dry. I would advise that more or less bran 

 (say from 2 to 4 Ib.) be given with the food of all kinds 

 of horses. In the form of mash, bran is a laxative, owing 

 to the presence of the contained water. 



It appears from the experiments of Shepperd in America 

 (see Feeds and Feeding) that a mixture of equal quantities by 

 weight of bran and " shorts " has about the same feeding value 

 as oats for hard-working horses. According to Henry, shorts 

 are simply re-ground bran. What are known as "sharps" 

 and " middlings " in England, are the finely-ground inter- 

 mediate product between flour and bran. They are of 

 higher nutritive value than bran. 



As bran is very absorbent of moisture and gases, it suffers 

 rapid deterioration in quality, and should consequently be used 

 only in a fresh state. 



It is a pretty general custom to give a bran mash every 

 Saturday night, or oftener as the case may demand. A horse 

 which from want of habit shows a reluctance to eat a bran 

 mash, may be got to do so by mixing a little corn through it. 

 Instead of a simple bran mash, one to which linseed has been 

 added, in the manner described on the next page, is usually 

 preferable for horses that are out of condition. 



We may make a bran mash as follows : After scalding a 

 stable bucket with boiling water, put into it about 3 Ibs. of bran 

 with an ounce of salt, and pour in as much boiling water as the 

 bran will take up, the weight of which will be about equal to 

 that of the bran, calculating a gallon of water to weigh 10 Ibs. 

 After the bran has been well stirred up with a stick, it should 

 be covered over so as to keep in the steam, and should be left 

 to stand for a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes before 

 being used. A regular supply of carrots or green food is 

 much better for horses than bran mashes. 



II 



