FEEDING HORSES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 273, 24 July 1880, Page 2

FEEDING HORSES.

. The extracts given below are from a lecture which Mr, J. Story, Y.S., delivered not long ago before an .English jammers’ club. In regard to food, of all animals the horse, in comparison to its size has . the smallest stomach. It 's therefore of great importance that his food should contain as much nutriment as possible in the smallest bulk, more especially when undergoing hard work. Hay and cats have this qualification to a greater degree toan any other of the feeding stuffs in general use, and that they should form the staple food has been proved by long experience. Bruised oats are very suitable for old horses and those that bolt their corn, but beyond this they have nothing specially to recommend them. The average quantity , of oats required to keep a horse under

going hard .work in good condition 19 about 20 pounds per day .' Of course some horses would eat more. Others cannot be induced to consume move than 14 pounds. Drivers of contractors’ horses arp ( practically aware of the fact that the m re they can get their horses to eat the more work they will do. But the result of. overworking is the premature death of many valuable animals. Indian corn may be fed if it is cheap, but must only be used with an equal proportion of bran. Cauots, turuiEs and potatoes require to be fed «Kh discretion—indeed, Mr. storey is inclined to condemn the use of potatoes - altogether. To cooked food, the lecturer said the great objection is that it fattens J without giving strength and firmness the muscles. It is also apt to be bolted without proper mastication, which is a common cause of colic indigestion. For a horse recovering from any debilitating disease or for one coming off a long journey, it is ot great benefit if given judiciously/ To make a regular practice cf feeding with it every day, however, is unnatural and, he believed, x highly injudicious. ■ It is a common practice to give a feed of it every Saturday night for the purpose of keeping the bowels in order. Three-fourths of a pailful of mashed bran would serve the purpose better without the risk of deranging the bowels. This is a most necessary adjunct in horse feeding, and should be given regularly once a week. It acts mechanically on the lining membrane of the ■ stomach, increases the secretion, and thereby averts constipation. As already ' stated, the stomach or receptacle for solid food is very small; the caecum, or receptable for water, is quite the opposite. It is not uncommon to see a horse drink two or three pailfuls of water at a time. It is, therefore, probable that he does not require it often. Three times a day is sufficient, provided the horse is allowed as much as he will - drink. Incases where he is excessively hot or exhausted, or where he has been kept without water for an undue of time, it should be given in smaller ; quantities and mo»e frequently. It is a great common error to allow horses water after being fed. In its passage through the stomach the water is sure to cairy with it some of the undigested food, which ought never to reach the intestines,: and will probably cause colic or indigestion. Grooming or cleanliness of the . skin is not a mere matter of glossy or scaring coat; it is essential to the health of domesticated animals. When it is borne in mind that the skin is one of the principal organs by which refuse material is thrown off from the body the necessity of keeping the pores" or little drains clear will be Apparent. 1 When they become stilted up the lungs and kidneys are overstocked, and hence diseases of both these organs. Hosing the legs is the cause of much harm to all horses. It checks circulation and 1 causes greater evils than the mud and I sand which it is intended to remove. |