FEEDING THE HORSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19216, 4 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 health 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 and often is the right motto. A certain amount of bulk in the feed is necessary, as this will ensure the grain feed being digested. A rough-and-ready guide as to tho quanUty of feed to give a horso is of material for every 1001b. of weight. Thus a 17001b. horse will require about 421b. of feed a day. Horses, like individuals, will vary in tho amount they require, and their needs should be studied. About 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 ration should be increased, and the chaff diminished; and for Jignt work the opposite course should be pursued. An experienced horse-master advises watering a norse before the morning meal; then giving one-fourth of the daily allowance about an hour before going to work; watering as he goes to worK; watering before and after the midday meal, which should amount to another one-fourth of the total, and should have a full flour 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 bedding down for the night. In this country, except in w'inter, horses are turned out at nights, and will secure part of their ration from the pastures. When succulent feed, like grass, is not available, small quantities of such foods as help digestion should be included in the ration.