The Work Horse 259 



for other stock. When mixed with oats in the form of 

 vetch and oat hay, it provides a very satisfactory ration 

 for the wintering of stock, but when vetch comprises a 

 large proportion of the hay, it is too laxative to be fed to 

 work animals under usual circumstances. 



The straws through the West consist largely of wheat, 

 oats, and barley. Of these oats is considered the best, 

 although some wheat straw is good feed for the wintering 

 of stock. Straw throughout the West could be more 

 largely used than it is at present. The use of straw for 

 the wintering of work horses as a supplement to some 

 good alfalfa or clover hay could be made one of the big 

 factors in cheapening the cost of horse power. 



In the western states, pastures vary from alfalfa to 

 bunch-grass. Most of the grasses are very nutritious, 

 except in some of the coast regions. In most sections, 

 some use is being made of the range in cheapening the cost 

 of horse power in wintering and also in the keeping of idle 

 horses. Growing horses require other feeds on many of 

 the pastures, especiahy in the winter. 



INFLUENCE OF LOCATION 



The section in which the horses are used largely in- 

 fluences the feeding. In the sections where alfalfa is 

 produced, it is fed exclusively except when wheat and 

 barley are raised in addition. In this case a very satis- 

 factory ration is made of the rolled barley for the grain 

 and alfalfa and wheat hay for the roughage. For light 

 work, the wheat hay and alfalfa may make the sole 

 ration. In the Wheat-Belt the princigal ration is rolled 

 barley and wheat hay. This constitutes a very satis- 

 factory ration, except that it is somewhat constipating and 



