102 ELEMENTARY AGRICULTURE 
because they provide the proper kind of nourishment 
for building muscle. Oat straw is very good feed, if a 
variety is desired. Alfalfa, clover, cowpea, and Sudan 
hay are used generally where the animals are to be fat¬ 
tened. It is suggested that most of the hay be fed in the 
evening, because it overloads the stomach and prevents 
proper digestion. Horses should not be allowed a large 
amount of gre'en food when working, because it has a 
Fig. 70.—A Suffolk stallion, Hawthorn on Farmingham. 
tendency to produce soft muscles and decrease the endur¬ 
ance. Water should be offered to horses before and after 
eating, while they are at work. They should not be 
allowed to drink a large amount when very warm from 
exercising. Cold water may cause a chilling of the stom¬ 
ach, producing indigestion, or “water colic.” Horses 
should have access to a block or a box of salt at all 
times. 
While it is better to keep only those horses with very 
