GRAIN AND CONCENTRATES FOR THE HORSE 34/ 



safety is due to the oat hull, which causes a given weight 

 of grain to possess considerable volume. This lessens 

 the liability of mistake in measuring the ration. Fur- 

 ther, the digestive tract cannot hold a quantity of oat 

 grains sufficient to produce serious disorders. 



It is said that horses fed on oats show a spirit which 

 cannot be attained by the use of any other feeding stuff. 

 It has been urged by many that this is due to a peculiar 

 stimulating substance called "avenin," which the oats 

 is said to possess. Oats may have a flavor that makes 



FIG. 156.— FATTENING HORSES FOR THE MARKET 



it a favorite food for horses, but the most careful chem- 

 ical study has failed to reveal any substance of the nature 

 of "avenin." Again, it is stated that the fats of oats are 

 more thoroughly digested than those of other cereals. 



The weight of oats determines the quality of the grain. 

 If the oats is light it indicates that there is a large pro- 

 portion of hull to grain and the oats is worth less than if 

 it were heavy, which indicates a large proportion of 

 grain and a small amount of hull. Unless the horse is 

 pressed for time or has poor teeth, the oats should be fed 

 whole. It is generally agreed that new oats should not 

 be fed to horses. Musty oats should always be avoided. 



Corn. — Next to oats, if, indeed, it does not exceed it. 



