THE FEEDING OF HORSES 



57 



amount of nutrients required per day. And as a result of such 

 work the following standards have been suggested : — 



Wolff-Lehman standard showing the amount of food required per 1000- 

 pounds live weight for horses at light, medium, and heavy work 



These standards were arranged to meet the need of the average 

 horse under normal conditions. They are to serve as guides, to 

 be modified to meet conditions, and not as laws, fixed and 

 absolute. 



Regularity in feeding. — The importance of regularity in every- 

 thing that pertains to the management of the horse cannot 

 easily be overestimated. This applies particularly to feeding. 

 Whatever feeding-stuffs are einployed in the ration, the horse 

 should be fed regularly and uniformly at all times. The horse 

 anticipates the feeding hour, and becomes nervous if it is delayed. 

 He neighs and coaxes for his food with great regularity. The 

 horse's digestive system and his vital activities become accus- 

 tomed to a certain order, which should be followed. To change 

 the order for even a single meal produces more or less digestive 

 disturbance. The horse's digestive system is not so large pro- 

 portionately as that of a cow or sheep; he has no rumen, no place 

 to store his food to be masticated at will ; hence, when at work 

 the horse must be fed regularly and often. Undue fasting is 

 followed by taking an excessive supply of food, which in turn 

 calls for excessive drinking with consequent digestive diflBlculties. 



Order of supplying food. — Because of the small size of the 

 horse's stomach, the order of supplying grain, hay, and water 



