FARMING NOTES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 3, 12 January 1915, Page 1

FARMING NOTES.

Feeding of Horses.

Frequent and Moderate Foddering.

(From " the Canterbury Times.") If horses are to perform useful work over a long period of their natural life, they must be carefully attended to as regards their diet. The smaller class of farmers are able to supervise the feeding of their own horses, if not actually to feed them, whereas the larger farmer, who has so many details of a varied character to occupy his time, is often obliged to leave the feeding solely to bis carters. I do not mean to suggest that no supervision is given, as the business farmer will always see that each horse is allotted a given quantity of oats, or whatever class of concentrated food is approved, so that as regards quantity the man cannot go very far wrong. The stomach of the horse is comparatively small, and can best perform its functions when about twothirds full, and for this reason it is unwise to load the stomach with bulky food throughout the intervals between work. A horse works best when fed frequently, and, if possible, not more than five hours should be allowed to lapse between meals. It is the general custom to water a horse before feeding, as the water then passes into the larger bowel without carrying with it any of the stomach contents. Some horses, however, are opposed to drinking before food, and in such cases it is doubtful if any very serious harm results. NO HARD WORK ON LOADED STOMACH. Horses must not be allowed to perform any strenuous work when the stomach is loaded, as such practices may result in the animal becoming broken-winded, and this is particularly the case with those horses that feed greedily and consume large quantities of bulky food. During harvest time one is apt to test the strength of horses by increasing their hours of labour, and which invariably produces exhaustion. When in an exhausted condition some horses will refuse food, so that it becomes necessary to tempt them into eating. It is not advisable to allow horses to partake of a full meal when in this state, as rarely has the stomach strength to cope with the food. After extreme exertion it is safest to give a warm gruel or mash, not forgetting a good, clean bed for the animal to rest upon. If the stomach, in a state of exhaustion, is called upon to deal with a heavy meal, acute indigestion is set up, and the production of gases which, if not expelled, cause the animal considerable discomfort. Colic is often caused by injudicious feeding.

SUDDEN CHANGES IN DIET should always be guarded against, as, for example, when bringing in horses from grass they must not be expected to conform to the ordinary stable diet of oats, hay and whatever other concentrated foods are given. If the change is not a gradual one, laminitis or founder in