HAY AND FORAGE FOR THE HORSE 35/ 



in wiii ter can utilize some straw, but they should not be 

 compelled to subsist wholly on it, as it contains much 

 fibrous material and is largely indigestible. It should 

 never be fed to hard-working animals. In relative value 

 for horse feeding the straws rank in the following order : 

 Oats, barley, wheat and rye, the latter being of little use 

 as a horse food. 



SUCCULENT FOODS 



In addition to the dry hays, the horse can make good 

 use of many of the succulent foods and will be much 

 benefited thereby. These succulent foods are all char- 

 acterized by their very high water content and by their 

 low energy values, the latter about one-half that of dry 

 hay. 



Green forage. — Sometimes it happens that the feeder 

 runs short of hay before the new crop comes on, and he 

 either cuts the grass and feeds it green, which we call 

 soiling, or turns the, horses out to pasture. When the 

 grass is cut and fed green, it is well to bear in mind that 

 it contains very much water and very much more of it by 

 weight must be fed. The leguminous forages, such as 

 alfalfa and clover, are richer in protein, and may cause 

 a larger excretion of urine. Either of these methods is 

 practicable when the animals are at moderate work, but 

 neither should be employed when the work is severe, 

 as it takes the animal too long to get sufficient nutrition. 



Silage. — This succulent food has been fed to the horse 

 from time to time with varying success. If the silage is 

 good and is fed in moderate quantities, it may be given 

 to idle horses, to idle brood mares and to growing colts 

 with safety. It should not be fed to the hard-working 

 animal, as he must consume too much to get sufficient 

 nutrients to avail him much energy, because of the high 

 percentage of water. 



Roots and tubers. — Carrots, rutabagas, potatoes and 



