354 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Clover hay. — This hay has not been held in high es- 

 teem as a forage for horses. The reasons are obvious. 

 It is generally loaded with dust, and this is often hard 

 to prevent. The clover stem is not stiff enough to hold 

 the plant upright and it falls to the ground, and more or 

 less dirt is splashed upon it by rain. Then the leaves 

 and stems are very brittle and crumble into dust in the 

 curing of the hay. Further, the hay often goes into 

 the mow so moist that fermentation takes place. Dur- 

 ing this oxidation or slow-burning process, particles of 

 blackened, partially carbonized leaves are produced. 



FIG. 159,— MODERN METHOD OF MAKING HAY 



which finely divided matter rises in the air in clouds of 

 dust when the hay is moved. Some of it enters the nos- 

 trils of the horse and is drawn into the lungs, there setting 

 up serious irritation. This can be prevented in large 

 measure by moistening the hay before feeding. When 

 bright and clean, clover is a very valuable food for the 

 horse, especially for the young and growing colt, as it is 

 rich in protein and mineral matter; in fact, it makes a 

 better ration than timothy when fed in limited quanti- 

 ties. 



Alfalfa hay. — This hay belongs to the same natural 



