POOD 223 



nutritive properties and its digestibility, at the same time 

 there is a loss of flavour and aroma. Whether this 

 deterioration is associated with chemical changes in the 

 dry matter is unknown, but it is most likely. The disad- 

 vantage of feeding on new hay has previously been dealt 

 with (see p. 157). 



Hay may be badly saved, dusty, mow -burned, or 

 musty. 



In Badly saved hay the damage may be slight, such as 

 results from a single shower of rain, or so severe through 

 floods, as to render the hay useless for anything but 

 bedding. Excessive bleaching indicates it has been too long 

 exposed to the sun, resulting in the destruction of the 

 chlorophyll. Discoloured, dirty looking hay, tells its story of 

 rain. Flowering heads too advanced proclaim late cutting, 

 and consequent loss of nutriment. 



Dusty hay may result from too long exposure to the sun, 

 or to gradual decay in the rick the result of age, or it may 

 be due to the attacks of insects, such as have been described 

 on p. 168. 



Moir-burned hay is the result of overheating in the stack, 

 due to being ricked before it is sufficiently dry. There are 

 various degrees from slight to severe, the latter being dark 

 brown in colour with a pungent odour, while the hay is dry 

 and brittle. 



Slightly mow-burned hay is not at first objected to by 

 some horses, but in a few days they reject it. Slightly 

 affected it does no harm, but severely affected hay acts as a 

 diuretic, producing thirst and a general falling off in con- 

 dition. 



Musty hay is very evident to the senses, it is due to 

 ricking while wet, or to getting wet after being stacked. 

 The fungi associated with it have already been noticed 

 (p. 166). Slightly mouldy hay given occasionally has not 

 appeared to produce harm. Very often salt is added to 

 it, which may help to counteract any ill effects ; prolonged 

 use is not only dangerous but represents a serious loss of 

 nourishment, and is therefore unprofitable. Should circum- 



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