54 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
An essential point in making hay is that when the crop is cut it 
should remain in the field as short a time as possible. If left too 
long in the sun it loses color, flavor, and dries or wastes. Smith 
asserts that one hour more than is necessary in the sun causes a loss 
of 15 to 20 per cent in the feeding value of hay. It is impossible to 
state any fixed time that hay must have to cure, this depending, of 
course, upon the weather, thickness of the crop, and many other cir- 
cumstances; but it is well known that in order to preserve the color 
and aroma. of hay it should be turned or tedded frequently and 
cured as quickly as possible. On the other hand, hay spoils in the 
mow if harvested too green or when not sufficiently dried. Mow- 
burnt hay produces disorder of the kidneys and bowels and causes the 
horse to fall off in condition. 
The average horse on grain should be allowed from 10 to 12 pounds 
of good hay a day. It is a mistake of many to think that horses at 
light work can be kept entirely on hay. Such horses soon become 
pot-bellied, fall off in flesh, and do not thrive. The same is true of 
colts; unless the latter are fed with some grain they grow up to be 
long, lean, gawky creatures, and never make so good horses as those 
accustomed to grain with, or in addition to, their hay. 
Straw.—tThe straws are not extensively fed in this country, and 
when used at all they should be cut and mixed with hay and ground 
or crushed grain. Wheat, rye, and oat straw are the ones most 
used; of these, oat straw is most easily digested and contains the 
most nourishment. Pea and bean straw are occasionally fed to 
horses, the pea being preferable, according to most writers. 
Cuarr.—Wheat and rye chaff should never be used as a feed for 
horses. The beards frequently become lodged in the mouth or throat 
and are productive of more or less serious trouble. In the stomach 
and intestines they often serve as the nucleus of the “soft concre- 
tions,” which are to be described when treating of obstructions of the 
digestive tract. 
Oat chaff, if fed in small quantities and mixed with cut hay or 
corn fodder, is very much relished by horses. It is not to be given in 
large quantities, as I have repeatedly witnessed a troublesome and 
sometimes fatal diarrhea following the practice of allowing horses 
or cattle free access to a pile of oat chaff. 
Grarns.—Oats take precedence of all grains as a feed for horses, 
as the ingredients necessary for the complete nutrition of the body 
exist in them in the best proportions. Oats are, besides, more easily 
digested and a larger proportion absorbed and converted into the 
various tissues of the body. Care must be taken in selecting oats. 
According to Stewart, the best oats are one year old, plump, short, 
hard, clean, bright, and sweet. New oats are indigestible. Kiln- 
