PHYSIOLOGY OF DIGESTION 07 



Dry bran for horses that eat hurriedly is to be avoided as 

 such horses are liable to choke on it. 



The cow's stomach is quite different from that of the horse in 

 its plan and size, and her intestinal canal is nearly twice as 

 long. Her large paunch and other stomachs, as well as the long 

 intestine, indicate that she can utilize a coarser diet than the 

 horse, and that she can digest and absorb such foods more thor- 

 oughly. They also indicate that nature intends her to eat larger 

 quantities at a time and at longer intervals than the horse, and 

 that the same is true as to the amount of water she drinks. 



Idle horses are frequently overfed. This is not only a waste 

 of food but an actual injury to the horse, and creates a ten- 

 dency to such diseases as azoturia, lymphangitis (elephant leg), 

 and heaves. 



Horses doing ordinary work need from 30 to 50 per cent 

 more grain with the same roughage as compared with idle 

 horses. Horses on winter pasture, cornfields, etc., need from 

 one third to one fourth as much grain as when at moderate work. 

 The horse that is off work should have exercise every day if 

 possible. Exercise lessens very much the danger from many 

 diseases. 



