FEED AND CARE OF HORSES 219 



may be fed when free from dust and well cured. The supple- 

 menting of any leguminous hay with grain of course offers a 

 chance of reducing the protein in the grain portion. 



Straw in good condition may be used for idle horses, but when 

 fed to working horses only a small amount should be given. It 

 is not so valuable as hay and therefore a larger quantity of grain 

 should accompany its use. Oat straw is the best. Barley, rice 

 and wheat straws may also be utilized but rye straw is of little 

 value. 



Cotton-Seed Hulls. — In the South this material is sometimes 

 used in feeding idle horses. On account of its bulk, a working 

 horse has not time to thoroughly masticate it, and when fed 

 to hard working horses it should be used in small amounts to 

 furnish a part of the roughage. The feed cannot generally be 

 fed profitably at points far from the oil mills. 



Roots are not generally fed in America to horses and mules. 

 Sweet potatoes are sometimes used in the South at the rate of 

 3 lbs. to I lb. of grain. Horses are especially fond of carrots. 

 They are excellent feed for horses fed dry feed. They seem to 

 keep the digestive organs in good tone and increase the appetite. 

 Not over lo to 15 lbs. a day should be allowed and they should 

 be sliced or pulped. 



Watering. — Horses should be watered regularly with pure 

 water. In the winter it is good practice to warm the water when 

 it is too cold. Horses require different quantities of water de- 

 pending on the atmospheric conditions, the work performed and 

 the nature of the feed. 



Por horses of 1,200 lbs., 60 to 70 lbs. of water are considered 

 average daily amounts, with variations of 30 to 100 lbs. There 

 is some difference of opinion as to the best time to water the 

 horse. It has been found that it makes no difference as long as 

 the horses are watered regularly and with judgment. Hard 

 working horses may be watered to advantage before feeding. 

 Some advocate watering before and after feeding. 



Bedding. — It is almost needless to say that horses to be kept 

 in good condition should have a good clean bed of straw to rest 

 on. Horses, like people, require a comfortable bed in order to 



