FOODS AND FEEDING. 39 



sional purging and irritation of the skin. If fed at all, it should be 

 mixed with old hay. 



Second crop^ or aftermath. — This is not considered good hay for 

 horses, but it is prized by some farmers as a good food for milch 

 cows, the claim being macle that it increases the flow of milk. The 

 value of hay depends upon the time of cutting, as well as care in the 

 curing. Hay should be cut when in full flower, but before the seeds 

 fall ; if left longer, it becomes dry and woody and lacks in nutrition. 

 An essential point in making hay is that when the crop is cut it 

 should remain as short a time as possible in the field. If left too 

 long in the sun it loses color, flavor, and dries or wastes. Smith 

 asserts that one hour more than is necessary in the sun causes a loss 

 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 the weather, thickness of the crop, and many other cir- 

 cumstances; but it is well known that, in order to preserve the color 

 and aroma of hay, it should be turned or tedded frequently and 

 cured as quickly as possible. On the other hand, hay spoils in the 

 mow if harvested too green, or when not sufficiently dried. Mow- 

 burnt hay produces disorder of the kidneys and bowels and causes the 

 horse to fall off in condition. 



The average horse on grain should be allowed from 10 to 12 pounds 

 of good hay a day. It is a mistake of many 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. 



Straw. — 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 oat straw are the ones most 

 used, and of these oat 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 repeatedly witnessed a troublesome and 

 sometimes fatal diarrhea following the practice of allowing horses 

 or cattle free access to a pile of oat chaff. 



