Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-11-13
AGRICULTURE.

WATER AND FooD FOR HORSES. -
Horses and cattle normally require, in
round numbers, four pounds of water
for each pound of dry substance In the
food, while sheep require about two
pounds, or about half AS much. This
estimate, the result of many careful eX-
periments, includes the water contain
ed in the food as we'll as that in the
drink. The amount of water needed
by pigs has not, L think, been accurate
ly determined. With horses we find
different digestive arrangement-one
that changes the conditions which were
suitable for ruminantS to very impor-
tant extent. Horses have but one
stomach, and that relatively small; it
contains, when fully distended, but tif-
teen To sixteen quarts, and in this con-
dition Is too full for the performance of
its functions. Usually when digest
ing the food the horses stomach does
not contain more than ten quarts, and
rs more food is eaten some of the con-
tents pass onward into the intestInes to
make room for Ii. In eatinga full feed
of hay the stomach is filled two or
three times, SO the part first eaten can
remain but short time for digestion.
Now, here is Il point of great impor-
tance. The albuminoids of the food
are digested in the stomach and Il stOm-
achful of grain contains four to SIX
times as much OF these as u stomachful
Of hay, consequently for a sufficient
quantity of gastric juice to be mixed
with the grain, and produce its full ef-
feet requires much longer time than
with hay. If, then, we feed oats or
corn, and Immediately afterward hay,
we may be very certain that the grain
will be forced from the stomach before
it is perfectly digested, but if we feed
the hay first and then the grain, It is
not difficult to understand that the lat
ter can remain in the stomach suf1i-
cient time. There is one advantage In
mixing oats or ground feel of any kind
with cut hay or straw, and that Is the
more perfect mastication which the ami
NAL gives in this case, but it Is doubt
ful If this advantage holds good with
cattle, as they do not chew their food
perfectly when eating, but rely on the
ruminatien which follows. In mixing
feed for horses we should not put a
great amount of coarse food with the
grain, or we will give more than the
stomach will hold, and the last portions
eaten will force the first ones into the
intestines before they are thoroughly
lmpregnated with the gastric juice.
Thus, two pounds of hay and four
pounds eff oats are about as much as
should be fed at once, when mixed, and
il more oats are given the hay should
be decreased; for instance, five pounds
Of hay may be given. Now these facts
will give us better understanding of
the effect of water on digestion. If, af-
ter feeding hay and then oats, we al
low horse TO take large drink of wa
ter, a considerable portion Of the oats
will be carried by the water into the iu-
testineS, and we get little of the advan-
tage of feeding the oats after the hay
II such a drink is taken soon after eat
ing hay alone, the effect will not be so
injurious, because hay does not need so
long time for digestion as grain. If
only one or two quarts of water are al
lowed ii will pass the food in the stom-
ach without changing its position to any
great extent. When the stomach has
got rid of n considerable part OF It's con-
tents it seems a difficult matter for it to
force out the remainder, and fermenta-
ton and collie sometimes result; drink
Of water at such time, by carrying on
the substance which has remained long
enough, relieves the condition. This
probably explains why some horse-car
companies have found it advisable to
have their horses watered at midnight.