DISEASES OF 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. 
Musry or Motpy reeps.—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. 
Hay.—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 skin. 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. 
