40 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 



Grains. — Oats take precedence of all grains as a food for horses, 

 as the ingredients necessary for the complete nutrition of the body 

 exist in them in the best proportions. Oats are, besides, more easily 

 digested and a larger proportion absorbed and converted into the 

 various tissues of the body. Care must be taken in selecting oats. 

 According to Stewart, the best oats are one year old, plump, short, 

 hard, clean, bright, and sweet. New oats are indigestible. Kiln- 

 dried oats are to be refused, as a rule, for even though originally good 

 this drying process injures them. Oats that have sprouted or fer- 

 mented are injurious and should never be fed. Oats are to be given 

 either whole or crushed — whole in the majority of instances; crushed 

 to old horses and those having defective teeth. Horses that bolt their 

 feed are also best fed upon crushed oats and out of a manger large 

 enough to permit of spreading the grain in a thin layer. 



The average horse requires, in addition to the allowance of hay 

 above mentioned, about 12 quarts of good oats daily. The best oats 

 are those cut about one week before being fully ripe. Not only is the 

 grain richer in nutritive materials at this time, but there is also less 

 waste from " scattering " than if left to become dead ripe. Moldy 

 oats, like hay and straw, not only produce serious digestive disorders, 

 but have been the undoubted cause of outbreaks of that dread disease 

 in horses, already referred to, characterized by inability to eat or 

 drink, sudden paralysis, and death. 



Wheat and rye. — These grains are not to be used as food for 

 horses except in small quantities, bruised or crushed, and fed mixed 

 with other grains or hay. If fed alone, in any considerable quanti- 

 ties, they are almost certain to produce digestive disorders, laminitis 

 (founder), and similar troubles. They should never constitute more 

 than one-fourth of the grain allowance, and should always be ground 

 or crushed. 



Bran. — The bran of wheat is the one most used, and its value as a 

 feeding stuff is variously estimated. It is not to be depended upon if 

 given alone, but may be fed with other grains. It serves to keep the 

 bowels open. "Sour bran is not to be given. It disorders the stomach 

 and intestines and may even produce serious results. 



Maize (corn).— This grain is not suitable as an exclusive food for 

 young horses, as it is deficient in salts. It is fed whole or ground. 

 Corn on the cob is commonly used as the food for horses affected with 

 " lampas." If the corn is old and is to be fed in this manner it should 

 be soaked in pure, clean water for ten or twelve hours. Corn is bet- 

 ter given ground, and fed in quantities of from 1 to 2 quarts at a 

 meal mixed with crushed oats or wheat bran. Be very particular in 

 giving corn to a horse that is not accustomed to its use. It must be 

 commenced in small quantities and very gradually increased. I 



