FEEDING THE HORSE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2340, 9 January 1926, Page 11

FEEDING THE HORSE

GUIDE AS TO QUALITY.

The basic principle in feeding a horse should be to feed often, and in small quantities. The horse has a small stomach and his digestive fluids flow .continuously. He is therefore maintained in better heallii if his stomach is always partly filled. If his natural methods of feeding are considered, since he will graze for 20 out of 24 hours when undisturbed, it can be seen that little su'd often is the right motto. A certain amount of bulk in the feed is necessary, as this will ensure the ghain feed being digested. A rough-and-ready guide as to the quantity of feed to give a horse is 211 b. of material for every 1001 b. of weight Thus a 17001 b. horse will require about 421bs. of feei) a day. Horses, like individuals, wir; vary in the amount .they require, ami their needs should be studied. Abou( one-third or more of the feed should be grain, the proportion varying with the amount and nature of the work to be done. .

For heavy work the grain ratlor should be Increased, and the chaf! diminished; and for light work the opposite course should be pursued. An experienced horse-master advises watering a horse before the morning meal; then giving one-fourth of the dally allowance about an hour before going to work; watering as he goes to work; watering before and after tho mid-day meal, which should amount to another one-fourth of the total, and should have a full hour given to it,; then watering before the evening meal, at which the other half of the feed is given; and finally after feeding for a couple of hours or more he should be given a drink and bedded down for the night. In tins coun try, except in winter, horses are turned out at nights, and will secure part of their ration from tile pastures. When succulent feed, like grass, is not available, small quantities of such foods as help digestion should be ineluded in the ration