HINTS ON HORSE FEEDING.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVI, Issue 40, 2 November 1909, Page 2

HINTS ON HORSE FEEDING.

Hay cut into chaff must necessarily be the basis of a working horse's food, because it allows of regular feeding; it require? due mastication, and allows the animal its hay with half the labor of feeding saved (says an Australian writer). Chemically each food is made up of certain elements which are present in definite proprotions—that is, nitrogenous or the flesh-forming matter, and carbohydrates, the energy and fat producers. Oats contain these elements m a ratio that is best adapted for absorption, so that any horse can work hard and thrive being fed on oats, provided sufficient hay is given to keep the bowels active. Tabloid methods of horse feeding are impossible, because bulk is required to keep the bowels active.

There are practical men who say tb at all the hay given should be chaffed and that it is more a matter of sentiment than anything else that owners giv-? long hay to their horses rather than that they derive any actual benefit from it, while there is great waste owing to the horses pulling it down and trampling on it. The hay should be chaffed into lengths of three-quarters of an l u' ,j ?' he , knives of the chaffcutter should be sharpened each day they are used to prevent them dragging the hay. Horses will not eat these long pieces of hay, but push them aside. Oats even when given alone will keep horses in good condition, and it is not necessary to crush the oats when given in chaff. In that way oats are -better whole than bruised. Peas and beans are highly nitrogenous, and can be given in moderation—say up to 51b. per horse per day. When peas and beans are given less other grain is- required, and the tough outer skin should be broken by bruising. Maize is very fattening and is especially desirable as a w , l ?* ,e 1 r food. It is safe to use it a year old, dry and sweet. Each grain must be cracked, but it is inadvisable to bruise too much as valuable meal is thus lost. Provided the total grain pei horse per day weighs 201b., 101b. of maize can be fed with safety. Barley is a useful adjunct to hay chaff, being very nutritious. It requires to be properly crushed, and can be fed up to 51b. per horse per day with safety. Bran is useful and may be given up to 21b. per horse per day. There are those who believe that horses can be kept in health when fed on chaff only ; but most prefer the use or laxatives either continuously or occasionally. Treacle or linseed oil can be given to working draught horses every night; both are nourishing and give trie horses' coats a fine gloss. The houses soon learn to relish it and will scarcely eat their feed without it. Half a cupful of linseed oil and treacle diluted with a cupful of water can be given every night sprinkled over the cW. Less quantities have to be used in the summer. Some drivers like to give a bran mash on Saturday night. It is not necessary to add Bait to the horses' food continually, but it is an advantage, say, for one month in the year to give salt, as it acts as a slight alterative and vermifuge. During this period a tablespoonful o£ oominon salt per horse three times weekly, either disv solved in the treacle and oil or in water, and sprinkled over the chaff at night, is good. If excessive urination starts, discontinue for a time or reduce the quantity of salt. Turnips are beneficial when in season arid should be given in moderation at the beginning until the horses get used to thtfn.