The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-02-08
THE FARMER.
From the New England Farmer.
ON THE MAN AG EMENT AND DIS
EASES OF HORSES.

FxDerience has often demonstrated that
the most serious consequences may ensue
when horse is subjected to violent exer-
else ON full stomach. This indigestion
thus occasiened often causes violent chollcs
which sometimes prove fatal. Surgeon
White says" Il have known many instances
of this: and when we consider now often
post and stage-coach horses are suddenly at
tackled during their work with gripes OF
fret, as it is commonly termed, arising en-
tirely from this cause, it will appear aston
ishing that it has not excited the attention OF
post masters and other proprietors.
Oats, which escape being crushed or brok-
en- by the teeth, though properly soaked by
the saliva and Juice of the stomach, are not
properly digrsted. The following commu-
nication from an English officer in the SER
vice of the East India Company will sbew
the utility of brushing grain tor feeding
horses or cattle.
II have always been an advocate for cut
tinp hay and straw, and bruising corn (grain)
for cattle of every description, and am con-
yinced that any man, who has pad atten-
zion to the subject, will soon see the advant-
age that must result from the adoption of
that practice. My attention was partlcu-
lsrly called to this subject by circumstance
which came under my notice when with the
cavalry unQef Iluiu Lam, Oh VIZ "N'NN 80
banks of the Junna in 1904. Channa, the
usual food, being scantilysuppli ed, Lord
Like ordered the horses to be fed with
equal parts of channa and barley, bruised
and steeped in the usual way; but from the
irreyularity of the size of the barley and
ehanna. and nattention oil the part OF those,
whose duty it was to sec it prepared, the
greater part of the barley was given entire.
and passed through the stomach and lntes-
tines of the horses, apparently little, u al Az
IMPAIRED in it's nutrtive quality ne scar
citv of grain which prevailed at that time n
dnced MANY thousands to flock TO the Brat
isb camp. in search of food, and daily wit
ressed for many weeks together many hun
dreds of those people Of all ages; coming IN
TO the lines of our cavalry, and anxlously col
lecting and carrying away the excremeht as
Il fell from the horses. This they exposed
few hours to the sun, and by rubbing and
sitting it, procured a large supply of good
food. This detail, which is on son'e account
affecting to humanity will probably go fur
ther in convincing the incredulous upon this
.ubiect than the most ingenious theory. II
must prove to every unprejudiccd man that
a Drodigious waste takes place III the use o'
corn for horses when it is not previously
ground or bruised"
1t appears from the experience OF Mr.
Curwen a celebrated English agriculturist
that the feeding of working horses OF
cooked provender is highly profitable. One
great advantage, he observes is the shor
time that is required for eating prope,
quantity, and its more easy digestion ~
horse" saws he, "wiil take hours in eatine
stone Ia lbs. of hay, whereas he will ca
stone of steemcd potatoes in twenty MN
utes" A horse thus fed will therefore
ms ~ u than
fed in the common way; and it is probable
that the stomach being thus quickly satited
the animal will be disposed to sleep or rest
which is favorable to the digestive process
In letter from Mr.. Curwen to Mi. Peal
that gentleman observes. 81 can confirm AT
Ter the great and most extensive practice
every thing have formerly advanced will
respect to feeding horses on steamed pota
toes Ihave found it expedient to add a lit
tie more straw with view to render tn
food less costly. A decisive distinction
should be made between cut straw and chatf
in the husk or grain; the latter IS perfect
indigestible and dangerous / strongly sus
meet | have lost horses formerly by its bein!
used contrary to my orders. The practice
of potatoe feeding has been adopted by sev
eral gentlemen upon large scale, all O
whom concur in declaring that the oppos.
ton to the relinquishing of this mode o
feeding would now be as great as it was t
its adoption. / have found steamed straw
(cut) very good food when could do no bet
ter" Mr.. Curwen observes that horses fet
upon steamed potatoes should have but lit
tie water. and other writers say when horse
are fed principally on steamed potatoes the.
do not need any water.
"When there is no convenience for bruis
ing oats, much good may be done by mix
ing them with clover or other hay cut u
with small proportion of straw. BY this
two objects will be accomplished the oat
will be perfectly masticated, and, therefore
wholly converted to nutriment: and vast
OF hay will be prevented. Mr. Blaine, a
ENGLISH writer, thinks that three horse
NAV be supported in this way at as little e%
pense as two kept in the usual manner. Th
proportions lie recommends are one part ha'
TWO of straw, and one of oats; and Of tn
mixture he gives from three to six peel
daily, according TO the size and employmel
of the horse: and he observes that 1t Will az
very much to the nutriment, which tt
mixture affords, If the oats are previous
bruised. Mr.. White says, 81 am incline
TO think that clover hay is preferable for tn
purpose to any other. 1t is generally tho
that kind of hay is not well adapted for sa'
d1o-horses or such as are emDlOye ed in Quir