DISEASES OP THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 53 



three or four times a day. It will not do to feed him entirely upon 

 concentrated feed. Bulky feed must be given to detain the grains 

 in their passage through the intestinal tract; bulk also favors dis- 

 tention, and thus mechanically aids absorption. For horses that 

 do slow work the greater part of the time, chopped or cut hay fed 

 with crushed oats, ground corn, etc., is the best manner of feed- 

 ing, as it gives the required bulk, saves time, and half the labor of 

 feeding. 



Sudden changes of diet are always dangerous. When desirous of 

 changing, do so very gradually. If a horse is accustomed to oats, 

 a sudden change to a full meal of corn will almost always sicken him. 

 If we merely intend to increase the quantity of the usual feed, this 

 also must be done gradually. The quantity of feed given must 

 always be in proportion to the amount of labor to be performed. If 

 a horse is to do a small amount of work, or rest entirely from work 

 for a few days, he should receive a proportionate quantity of feed. 

 If this should be observed even on Saturday night and Sunday, there 

 would be fewer cases of "Monday morning sickness," such as colics 

 and lymphangitis. 



Feeds should also be of a more laxative nature when the horse is to 

 stand for several days. 



MtJSTT OK MOLDY FEEDS. — Above all things, avoid feeding musty 

 or moldy feeds. They are very frequent causes of disease of different 

 kinds. Lung trouble, such as bronchitis and "heaves," often follows 

 their use. The digestive organs always suffer from moldy or musty 

 feeds. Musty hay is generally considered to produce disorder of 

 the kidneys, and all know of the danger from feeding pregnant 

 animals upon ergotized grasses or grains. It has often been said 

 to produce that peculiar disease known variously as cerebrospinal 

 meningitis, putrid sore throat, or choking distemper. 



Hat. — The best hay for horses 'is timothy. It should be about one 

 year old, of a greenish color, crisp, clean, fresh, and possessing a 

 sweet, pleasant aroma. Even this good hay, if kept too long, loses 

 part of its nourishment, and, while it may not be positively in- 

 jurious, it is hard, dry, and indigestible. New hay is difficult to 

 digest, produces much salivation (slobbering) , and occasional purg- 

 ing and irritation of the sldn. If fed at all it should be mixed with 

 old hay. 



Second, crop, or aftermath. — ^This is not considered good hay for 

 horses, but it is prized by some farmers as good for milch cows, 

 the claim being made that it increases the flow of milk. The value 

 of hay depends upon the time of cutting, as well as care in the 

 curing. Hay should be cut when in full flower, but before the seeds 

 fall; if left longer it becomes dry, woody, and lacks in nutrition. 



