2l8 ELEMENTARY TREATISE ON STOCK EEEDS AND FEEDING 



heaves. Well cured clover hay, however, is a good source of 

 roughage and when used the protein supplied by the grain should 

 be reduced. It is a good complement of starchy concentrates. 

 Clover hay is liable to lose some of its leaves and other fine 

 parts, which are rich in protein, when carelessly handled. 



Alfalfa Hay. — The same objections are raised to alfalfa hay 

 as to clover hay. Well cured alfalfa hay is fed successfully in 

 limited quantities to horses. Corn or some other carbohydrate 

 feed should supplement alfalfa in the ration. Alfalfa is liked 

 by horses and they are liable to eat too much unless the supply 

 is limited. The Utah Experiment Station has used alfalfa hay 

 for supplying the entire roughage of rations for horses. 



Oat Hay cut in the milk stage and well cured furnishes satis- 

 factory roughage for moderately worked horses. 



Corn Fodder is a valuable and cheap roughage for horses. It 

 may be fed with corn and bran, corn and oats, and other com- 

 binations. It should be harvested before the leaves die because 

 this part of the corn plant is relished by horses. For hard work- 

 ing horses the stalk should be cut or shredded to render masti- 

 cation more easy. It may be used to supply the whole or part 

 of the roughage and on account of its cheapness is worthy of 

 consideration by all horse feeders. 



Corn Silage may be fed to idle horses. When used for feed- 

 ing working horses the amount should be small. It is a succu- 

 lent feed and increases the appetite. It is somewhat bulky for 

 the hard working horse. 



Millet Hay. — The exclusive use of millet as roughage has been 

 claimed to increase the action of the kidneys, produce lameness 

 and swelling of the joints, and render bones soft. For these 

 reasons millet is not a safe feed for horses, although it may 

 sometimes furnish a part of the ration- 

 Grass Hays. — As previously stated, timothy hay is the best 

 grass hay for horses. Sometimes other grass hays are available 

 and when well cured and free from dust may economically fur- 

 nish the roughage for horses. 



leguminous Hays. — Besides alfalfa and clover, other of the 

 legumes are successfully fed to horses. Cowpea, lespedeza, etc. 



