146 FARM ANIMALS 
12. When corn is fed—Indian corn shares with oats 
popularity as a horse food. Although a very concen- 
trated food it is deficient in muscle-forming elements. 
If fed in combination with timothy or corn stover, too 
little protein will be provided. Concentrates of a nitrog- 
enous nature, therefore, should be admitted to the 
ration. Oats then may be used, or bran, or the oil meals; 
indeed, practically any commercial concentrated feed. 
Bran and oil meal are laxative, and are particularly good 
when succulence otherwise is not to be had. These may 
be given in small quantities daily, or fed in larger quanti- 
ties two or three times a week. Both are extremely valu- 
able articles for horses, and mav be fed either dry or in 
mashes. When fed as mash once a week, night is the best 
time, preferably before a day of rest. 
13. Other concentrates.—Barley is a principal grain food 
for horses in many parts of the world. In some of the great 
breeding stables barley and oats are ground together in 
proportions varying with the season and fed to stallions 
and mares. Cottonseed meal is similar in its chemical 
composition to linseed meal, but is more highly concen- 
trated and contains more protein. It should be fed with 
caution, one or two pounds a day, and never to exceed 
three or four pounds. This concentrate is coming more 
and more into favor, but some horses seem never to 
learn to like it. It is more often used in rations for 
mules than for horses. 
The carrot is the root crop par excellence for the horse. It 
serves to cool the system and assists in the digestion of other food. 
Only a few roots should be fed at a time and two or three times 
weekly. Salt is wholesome and beneficial for horses, and attention 
should be given to this matter. An occasional feeding of salt is 
not desirable. Salt should be in rock form and placed where the 
horses can get it at all times. 
14, Selecting the ration—In making up a ration for a 
horse the first point is to find out how much the horse 
