GRAIN AND CONCENTRATES FOR THE HORSE 35 1 



bulky to constitute any considerable part of the ration of 

 a hard-working animal. It is a very good food for young 

 and growing animals, as it is rich in mineral matter and 

 protein, elements that the young animal must have to 

 build up his body. It serves the needs of the grown horse 

 best when given as a "condition" food. 



Linseed meal. — This food is very rich in protein, and is 

 often fed to the horse in limited quantities, more for the 

 specific efifect it has on the horse than for the actual 

 nutrients it contains. It stimulates the skin secretions 

 and gives the horse a very smooth and glossy hair. It 

 can be used as a laxative. Linseed meal is very palatable 

 and easily digestible. It is fattening in its nature and 

 hence desirable if one wishes to fatten his horse. Lin- 

 seed is valuable as a food for the growing colt because 

 of its high amount of mineral matter and protein. It 

 cannot be fed,' however, in very large quantities because 

 of its laxative efifect, and some horses cannot eat it at all, 

 as it scours them at once. 



Cottonseed meal. — ^This meal has about the same com- 

 position and the same efifect on the mature horse as has 

 linseed meal. Cottonseed meal should not, however, be 

 fed to young and growing animals. 



Gluten meal or feed. — Gluten is sometimes fed to the 

 horse. It is rich in protein, but rather deficient in 

 mineral matter. It has the objection that when mois- 

 tened with saliva it has a tendency to form balls in the 

 mouth and is not so palatable. However, it is quite 

 digestible. Like linseed and cottonseed meal, it should 

 not be fed in very large quantities. Because of its low 

 mineral matter content it should not be given to the 

 young and growing colt. 



Dried brewer's grains. — These grains have been used 

 in the ration of the work horse with success. An experi- 

 ment is quoted when they were compared with oats and 

 the following conclusions drawn: In both rations the 

 nutrients furnished were sufficient to maintain the weight 



