HINTS ON FEEDING HORSES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1898, 24 March 1880, Page 3

HINTS ON FEEDING HORSES.

A good farmer will always manage to keep his horses in good condition, and fit for their work, whilst a poor manager, though using the same kind of food, will have them in bad condition. A man who understands horses and their needs will so feed them as to produce the best results at the least possible cost, and he will readily observe anything wrong with thorn. Indigestion, and non-assimilation of food, as soon as observed, are of course to be remedied, usually by administering a purgative dose or a tonic to impart strength to the mucous surface and gastric apparatus. To fully understand the true principle of feeding horses, it must be remembered the stomach of the horse is comparatively small, and that digestion is very rapid. In a state of freedom .the horse spends nearly threefourths of his time in mastication. The best veterinary authorities, therefore, agree that to feed a horse properly we must follow nature closely—lotting the animal eat often, but in small quantities j and this view appears to be confirmed by the experience of men who work horses.

Horses which have been compelled to take long fasts are apt to become rapid feeders, and are subject to colic and other disorders. The nose-bags, from which to feed horses at noon, when resting, are almost indispensable. The best diet for a working horse is hay and grain, with occasional bran mashes, and an idle horse ought to have lees grain, or, perhaps, if they can be produced, carrots or other roots in the place of grain. Keep the stable, the mangers, and feed-boxes clean, ior horses are very sensitive about such matters. The quantity of food given is to be determined by the work to bo done and the character of the horses. Never give an animal more than he will eat with a relish. When a horse, usually at work, is for a time idle, reduce the quantity of food given, for he cannot assimilate as much as before. At the best stables a horse is never fed for an hour or more after coming in from rapid travel. The reason for this is that, owing to the intense muscular exertion, the blood is sent in large quantities to the lungs and other organs, and the stomach is not in a functional condition to digest food until after some rest—until after the currents of circulation have time to turn towards the digestive organs.

Another very important point is with reference to watering. The stomach of a horse is so organised that fluids pass almost directly through it. The openings of the stomach have to dilate to allow fluids to pass to the intestines, and, if the stomach is full, there is danger that some of its contents will bo washed into the intestines before they have been sufficiently digested. This causes colic, or possibly inflammation. Water should, therefore, be given before feeding, and not immediately after. When a horse is pretty warm put him in the stable to cool off, or, if very hot, walk him around slowly for some time. When rested somewhat, and cool enough to be fed, water him and then let him eat hay awhile before receiving his grain. If travelling, drive slowly for half an hour after harnessing, before watering the horse, and it will be found better than to let him drink all he can on a full stomach.