358 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



other roots and tubers are occasionally fed to the Korse. 

 These foods contain a high percentage of water and small 

 amounts of nutrients. The use of such materials for 

 horses has been attempted at different times with vary- 

 ing success, but they are not used to any great extent 

 in this country, although very common in Europe. 

 Carrots are often fed as "conditioners." For this pur- 

 pose their value is high, but for actual nutrition very low. 



Fruits. — Apples, dates and prunes have been fed in the 

 regions where they thrive, when the price was sufficiently 

 low. Such foods are of little or no use, with the possible 

 exception of apples. 



Injurious feeding stuffs. — In feeding the horse precau- 

 tions should always be taken to avoid materials harmful 

 in themselves, or those which may become harmful. Dirt, 

 sticks, small stones, and the like, should be removed from 

 the grain before feeding. All feeding stuffs should be 

 cleaned. 



Millet. — This hay, when fed in large quantities, is con- 

 sidered injurious to the horse. It is reported that it pro- 

 duces increased action of the kidneys, causes lameness 

 and swelling of the joints, destroys texture of the bone, 

 and the ligaments and muscles are torn from their places 

 when the animal attempts to move. 



Ergot. — Plants which are ordinarily wholesome may 

 become harmful if infested with ergot. Some investiga- 

 tors say that it causes rheumatism in the horse and that 

 it may cause pregnant mares to abort. 



Feeds that are ordinarily wholesome may, under cer- 

 tain conditions, be harmful. There is a widespread 

 prejudice against moldy or decomposed feeding stuffs. 

 It has been shown that the continued feeding of moldy 

 corn induces intestinal and nervous disorders of a serious 

 nature. 



Foods that influence digestion. — Some foods, in addi- 

 tion to the nutrients they furnish, exercise an influence 

 on the digestion so favorable as to place their value 



