ALFALFA FOR HORSES. 875 
many years no other hay has been in use. In truth 
the horses refuse to eat timothy hay, having become 
accustomed to alfalfa. Before alfalfa came into use 
there was nearly always one or more horses with 
heaves, but since we have had alfalfa hay we have 
not had one case of this disease. Colic among 
horses is the bane of the farmer and horseman. Once 
the veterinary bills were a considerable item on 
Woodland Farm. Now colic is a rare thing, and 
would probably never occur again if the men did 
not occasionally feed injudiciously of corn, or over- 
feed with alfalfa hay. 
Less Grain Needed.—We have learned that very 
much less grain is required where alfalfa is fed, not 
much more than half the usual ration. Why should 
not this be true? Alfalfa itself is as rich, very 
nearly, as wheat bran, itself a good grain food for a 
horse. Alfalfa is nearly as rich a food as oats. 
Horses will do a great deal of hard work with no 
grain at all if they have first-class alfalfa hay, but 
I do not recommend this. The horse has a small 
stomach and not much time for masticating his food. 
A small grain ration with his alfalfa hay is right. 
Action on Kidneys.—It has been urged that the 
foundation for this rumor or belief is that when a 
horse unused to alfalfa is fed it for the first time 
it does stimulate its kidneys so that there is a 
noticeable increase in the amount of urine voided. 
I think this never really injures the animal and 
the symptoms disappear in a short time. If al- 
