34 SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



they received just as well at six months as they 

 did eight months later. 



5. Whether the animal is working or at rest seems 

 to have little effect upon the digestion of the food, 

 even where the work is hard. The rate, however, 

 at which such work is done does have an influence, 

 for it has been noticed that cab-horses working at 

 a quick trot did not digest their food as well as 

 they did when at rest ; there was a noticeable, but 

 not large, decrease in digestibility. In one case, 

 where a constant ration was given, it was found 

 that 60% of the organic matter was digested when 

 the horse was at rest in the stall, 62 % when he was 

 walking, and when trotting 61%. When working 

 at a walk 61 % of the organic matter was digested, 

 when working at a trot 57%, and when drawing a 

 cart 57%. 



Oxen used for draught purposes must get enough 

 time (3-4 hours) for the rumination of the food, 

 for although working at a slow rate does not entirely 

 stop rumination, it is not properly performed, and 

 so more or less serious derangement of the digestive 

 processes can result. 



6. Alterations in the conditions under which 

 the animals are placed are also without influence 

 upon the digestibility of the food, provided violent 

 excitement and disturbance of health are avoided. 

 Changes in the temperature, lighting, or other 

 conditions of the stable, have no appreciable effect 



