The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-09-08
Wafer AMI Food for Horses.

in round numbers, four pounds OF water
for each pound of dry su distance in the
food, while sheep require but two pounds
or half as much. This estimate, the re-
suit of many careful experiments. IN
cludes the water contained in the food.
as we'll as that in the drink. The amount
OF water needed by pigs has not been ac-
curately determined.
With horses we find different digest
i've arrangement-on that changes the
conditions which were suitable for rumi-
nants, to u very important extent.
Horses have but one stomach, and that
relatively small 1t contains, when fully
distended, but fifteen or sixteen quarts
and IN this condition is too full for the
performance of its functions. Usually
when digesting the food, the horse S
stomach does not contain more than ten
quarts, and as more food is eaten some Of
the contents pass onward into the lntes-
tines. to make room for it. In eating
full feed of hay the stomach Is filled two
or three times, so that the part first
eaten can remain but short time
for digestion, Now, here is u
point of great importance. The albu-
minoids of the food are digested in the
stomach, and stomachful of grain con-
tains four to six times as much OF these
as stomachful of hay. Consequently,
for sufficient quantity OF gastric juice
to be mixed with the grain and produce
its full effect 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 u sufficient
time.
There is one advantage in mixing oats
or ground feed Of any kind with hay or
straw, and that is the more perfect mas
LITIGATION which the animal gives in this
case; but it is doubtful if this advantage
holds good with cattle, as they do not
chew their food perfectly when eaten,
but rely on the rumination which follows.
In mixing feed for horses we should not
put great amount of coarse food with
the grain, or we will give them more
then the stomach will hold, and the last
portions eaten will force the first ones
into The intestines before they are thor
oughly impregnated with gastric juice.
Thus two pounds of hay and four pounds
OF oats are about as much rs should be
fed ut once when mixed, and if more
oats are given the hay should be de-
creased. For instance, five pounds Of
oats and one and half pounds of hay
may he given.
These facts will give us a better under
Standing of the effect of water on diees-
ton. If. after feeding hay and then oats.
we allow the horse to take large drink
of water, considerable part of the oats
will be carried by the water into the in
testines, and we get little of the advan-
tage of feeding the oats after the hay. II
such q drink ia taken soon after eatng
hay alone, the effect will not be SO in
furious, because hay does not need so
long time for digestion as grain. II
only one or two quarts Of water are al
lowed, il will pass the food in the stom-
ach without changing its position to any
great extent. When the stomach has got
rid Of q considerable part of its contents
it seems difficult matter for it to force
out the remainder, and fermentation and
collie sometimes result. A drink Of water
ut such q time, by carrying of the sub
stance which has remained long enough,
removes the condition. This probably
explains why some tram-car companies
have found il advisable to have their
horses watered at midnight.
Tho American Consul at AK La Cha
pelle writes that NJ . result of tho encr-
nous importations of wheat from Amer
ica. pure wheat bread, which two ycars
-. 80 nc~ai4~r~H = 1ssvupv In the h0rnn