242 THE HORSE IN SERVICE 



ercise, although its use is not objected to either with work horses 

 or even race horses in training. 



Pasture. — Grass is the most natural and satisfactory form 

 in which to furnish succulence, as it also necessitates healtliful 

 exercise in the open air in order to secure it. Unfortunately, it 

 is not available at all seasons of the year nor under all circum- 

 stances. It must, therefore, be substituted or supplemented. 



Carrots are the best root crop for horse feeding. Like other 

 roots, their physiological benefits outweigh their nutritive value. 

 For the winter feeding of colts and brood mares they are espe- 

 cially desirable, while they form a staple article of diet in most 

 stallion-importing establishments, where it is necessary to carry 

 the horses along in high condition all the time and yet keep them 

 right Carrots are fed either whole or sliced, but to slice them 

 to a size too large to swallow but too small to chew is more liable 

 to induce choking than if fed uncut. 



Soiling crops are sometimes fed to breeding or sho-w horses. 

 In France it is common to feed green cut alfalfa (Lucerne). 

 Such green material must be fed to horses as soon as \\dlted and 

 before heating or decomposition of any degree begins. 



Silage has been condemned by most horse feeders and justi- 

 fiably so, for much of the data concerning its us& have been 

 unfavorable, fatal results being commonly reported. Recent 

 feeding experiments, however, have demonstrated that silage 

 may be safely fed to work horses and growing colts, if of best 

 quality and limited to from ten to twenty pounds- per day. 

 Silage the least bit moldy or spoiled is dangerous for horses. 



WATER 



Water of good quality and ample quantity is essential to the 

 good health, comfort, and efiiciency of horses at work. A thirsty 

 horse does not make the most of his ration ; his digestive func- 

 tions are impaired by the sense of thirst. Horses should be 

 watered regularly, so they may be able to anticipate their oppor- 

 tunities. Regular watering at frequent intervals will probably 

 insure the horse drinking more of fresher w^ater in the course of 

 the day than though allowed free access to water in the stall at 



