20 



than is necessary in the sun causes a hjss of 15 to 20 per cent in the 

 feeding value of hay. It is impossible to state any fixed time that hay 

 must have to cure, this depending, of course, upon tlie weather, thick- 

 ness of the crop, and many other circumstances ; but it is well known 

 that in order to preserve the color and aroma of hay it should be turned 

 or tedded frequent!}" and cured as quiclx'hj os possible. On the other 

 hand, hay spoils in the mow if harvested too green or when not suffi- 

 ciently dried. Mow-burnt hay produces disorders of the kidneys and 

 bowels and causes the horse to fall off in condition. Musty or moldy 

 hay has often been said to produce that peculiar disease known variously 

 as cerebro-spinal meningitis, putrid sore throat, or choking distemper. 



The average horse, getting grain, should be allowed from 10 to 12 

 pounds of good hay a day. It is a mistake of manj^ to think that horses 

 at light work can be kept entirely on hay. Such horses soon become 

 pot-bellied, fall off in flesh, and do not thrive. The same is true of 

 colts; unless the latter are fed with some grain they grow up to be 

 long, lean, gawky creatures, and never make as good horses as those 

 accustomed to grain, with or in addition to their hay. 



Sfraiv. — The straws are not extensively fed in this country, and when 

 used at all they should be cut and mixed with hay and ground or 

 crushed grain. Wheat, rye, and oats straw are the ones most used, 

 and of these oats straw is most easily digested and contains the most 

 nourishment. Pea and bean straw are occasionally fed to horses, the 

 pea being preferable according to most writers. 



Chaff. — Wheat and rye chaff should never be used as a food for 

 horses. The beards frequently become lodged in the mouth or throat 

 and are productive of more or less serious trouble. In the stomach 

 and intestines they often serve as the nucleus of the "soft concre- 

 tions " which are to be described when treating of obstructions of the 

 digestive tract. 



Oat chaff, if fed in small quantities and mixed with cut hay or corn- 

 fodder, is very much relished by horses. It is not to be given in large 

 quantities, as I have repeatedlj^ witnessed a troublesome and some- 

 times fatal diarrhea to follow the practice of ^dlowing horses or cattle 

 free access to a pile of oat chaff. 



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 i)roportions. Oats are besides more easily digested 

 and a larger proportion absorbed and converted into the various tis- 

 sues of the body. Care must be taken in selecting oats. According 

 to Stewart the best oats are one year old, x^li^mp, short, hard, clean, 

 bright, and sweet. New oats are indigestible. Kiln-dried oats are to 

 be refused as a rule, for even though originallj^ good this drjdng i^roc- 

 ess injures them. Oats that have si^routed or fermented 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 



