FEEDING AND CARE. 39 



which are to be described when treating of obstructions of the digestive 

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

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

 quantities, as a troublesome and sometimes fatal diarrhea follows the 

 practice of allowing horses or cattle free access to a pile of oat chaff. 



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

 the ingredients neccessary 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 j'ear old, plump, short, hard, clean, bright, 

 and sweet. New oats are indigestible. Kiln-dried oats are to be re- 

 fused as a rule, for even though originally good this drying process in- 

 jures them. Oats that have sprouted or fermented are injurious and 

 should never be fed. Oats are to be given whole or crushed ; whole in 

 the majority of instances, crushed to old horses and those having de- 

 fective teeth. Horses that bolt their food are 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 allow- 

 ance of hay above spoken of, about twelve quarts of good oats dailj'. 

 The best oats are those cut about one week before being fully ripe. Not 

 only is the grain richer at this time in nutritive materials, 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 dis- 

 orders, but have been the undoubted cause of outbreaks of that dread 

 disease in horses, 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 quantities, 

 they are almost certain to produce digestive disorders, laminitis "foun- 

 der, ' ' 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 should not be given. It disorders the stom- 

 ach and intestines and may even produce serious results. 



