CHAPTER XVIII 



THE WORK HORSE 



It has been estimated that two-thirds of the horses in 

 the United States are work horses, and that a sum equal 

 to two-thirds their value is needed every year to pay for 

 their feed and care. Therefore the work horses of the 

 country are an expense which must be offset by their 

 profitable employment. In order to be kept at the high- 

 est state of efficiency as well as to be maintained eco- 

 nomically, horses must receive proper feed and care. In 

 no other class of farm animals is there so large an aver- 

 age investment, and therefore no other that offers so 

 large an opportunity for saving. 



FEEDING WPIEN AT WORK 



In the feeding of a hard-worked horse, the essential 

 points are to give feeds containing a large amount of 

 net energy, and of such nature that they will agree with 

 the digestive system of the horse under conditions of 

 severe work. Most of this energy must be obtained from 

 the grains, as the hays are too bulky to supply the net 

 energy needed. From the standpoint of energy alone, 

 corn would be best, with barley second, and wheat next, 

 but when the effect on the digestive system is taken into 

 consideration, it is found that oats are distinctly the best 

 feed, although horses may be successfully fed on either 

 corn or barley. Such hays as clover, vetch, and alfalfa, 



251 



