222 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
the size of the body of those fed on straw, but those fed on hay increased 
in bulk. The results of other experiments may be thus summed up: Oats 
and straw are the foods which agree best with the horse, and hay that 
which agrees least. Barley comes after oats and straw, then rye. A 
mixture of straw with one of these grains would be the best combination. 
Horses fed exclusively on oats drink and sweat less than those fed on hay 
or straw, and their vigor is superior. Oats and straw, even in less quanti- 
ties than hay, would put the horse in better condition and make him more 
vigorous. 
There is a strong objection to zew hay, but it has no sufficient grounds, 
The French commission named above investigated this subject and the 
result was that the horses fed on the usual allowance of new hay for two 
months were found as hard and vigorous as when fed on old hay. But to 
make certain whether new hay had an injurious effect, the daily allowance 
was increased one-half, and in all cases, though for fifteen days the horses. 
were a little soft, they regained their whole energy and became hardier 
and in better condition. New hay therefore is not detrimental but highly 
beneficial, if well cured. 
Oats.—In feeding oats care should be taken that they ‘be full and 
hard, with thin husks, free from dust and pebbles, sweet to the taste, 
and agreeable to the smell. One is liable to give his horse too short an 
allowance when feeding oats, if he is not observant of the weight, per 
bushel by measure, since they vary a great deal. It is found that a horse 
wili consume a given ézZ& in oats, and hence the heavier the grain the 
more nourishment will the horse get, and it should be determined that he 
is getting an adequate amount for the service required. The opinion that 
new oats are indigestible and injurious to the kidneys and bowels seems to 
lack a full support. That they are not good for horses put to speed is 
probably true, but they are not unwholesome for other classes, as has been 
shown by horses in the British and French military, where they have been 
found equal in fattening properties to the old grain, and do not make the 
animal sick. Oats dried ina kiln, especially if they are soft, are nearly or 
quite as good as the old. Crushed oats are more readily digested and are 
hence more desirable for animals with defective digestion; but if three 
parts of these are mixed with one of beans, the result will be improved. 
Oats that are musty or have been heated are very injurious, more often 
causing disorders than those that are dirty; but injuries attributed to them 
are quite often due to mow-heated or musty hay. 
Beans and Peas.—These have about the same nutriment and the same 
effect on the animal; but they have about twice as much of flesh-forming 
principle as oats. In large quantities they are too heavy for food and apt 
Digitized by Microsoft® 
