The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-15
Feed for WORK Horses.

Mature timothy and oats are the usual
food forworking horses, andNhey do we'll
upon it. Many substitute meal for oats,
in which corn is large ingredient. There
is also a>tcndency toward using hess hay
and more strengthening food, as it SHIELD
that this gives more life and xigor to>the
horse. 1t also seems to wear out the
animal the sooner, especially-if worked
according to his strength. Those who
feed hay harvested when well out of the
blossom, with one feed a day of Sarly-cut
clover. or clover and timothy (the proper
ton of hay somewhat lessened from the
oldsystem of feeding hay plentifully), and
sufficient concentrated foed, -say.oats
and corn, the oats predominatine, seem
necessary strength and activity, with bet
ter health and more service. The natu-,
raj order will not be so far departed
from; the tender hay, of which one feed
is given, is but, in effect, continuance.
OF grass or pasture to extent it
has good influence upon the bowels
and the general health, which is of such
importance that it cannot be ignored
without disadvantage; there is also relief
from the oppressed condition which the
feeding largely of dry. ripe hay induces,
and the fat, sluggish habit produced by
The large use of corn meal, which, as Il
summer feed, is also too heating Oats
contribute to (lnettle and endurance,
yet net-zin excess. All the desira=-
diet, without any-bad- ones supervening.
The -matured hay holds in check the
tendency to free bowels which the
cured grass or young clover and the
meal is apt to induce In word, this
diet produces balance, and harmony.
the result of which is health strength ard
activity. The horses are safe with such
n Irof.I lndn
food, and is simple withal. 1t is less ex-
pensiye, particularly the young, tender
hay, the properties of which are more
available than other dried food. The
proportion of this may be increased
where the horse is worked less, and thus
still farther Increase the comparative
-cheapness. Where much work is re
quired more concentrated food must be
given; IN such cases also less green hay
i'll proportion.
Green hay may be used instead of bran
mashes or physic, or turning to grass. 1t
has the effect of Keeping the system in a
sufhclently free or relaxed condition
promotive of health and strength at the
same time; and, as / have. said, it is
cheaper, contains about double the guam
tlty OF available nutrition which is found
in old or ripe hay, such as is commonly
USED. The practice of feeding green
(carly CUT hay to milcb cows, sheep and
growing stock is progressing; it is more
difficult to do with horses, especially
hard-working horses, as the prejudice is
deep and strong. -
But when it is once found generally
that early-cut and weil-cured hay, includ.
ing clover, has an increase of available
natriment, thus lessening the expense of
Keeping, less grain and less hay being re-
quired, and the health and strength of
the animal improved, and when farther
me hay-cutting and the wetting of the
feed may be mostly or entirely dispensed
with-when all this presents itself unde
niably, the reform will be cffected.-Coun-
try Gentleman.