Sharp County record., 1881-03-17
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 half as much. This esti-
mate, the result of many careful exper-
iments, includes the water contained in
the food, as well as that in the drink.
The amount of water needed by pigs
has not been accurately determined.
With horses we find a different digest
i've arrangement,-One that changes
the conditions which were suitable for
ruminants to very important extent.
Horses have but one stomach, and that
relatively small. 1t contains when fully
distended, but fifteen to sixteen quarts,
and in this condition is too full for the
performance of its functions. Usually,
when digesting the food, the horses
stomach does not contain more than
ten quarts, and as more food is eaten,
some OF the contents pass onward into
the intestlnes, 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 point
of great importance. The albuminoids
of the food are digested III the stomach,
and stomachful of grain contains four
to six times as much of these as a stom-
achful of hay. Consequently, for a suf-
ticient 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
grass 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
latter can remain in the stomach a suf.
ficient time.
There is one advantage in mixing
oats or ground feed of any kind with
hay or straw, and that is, the more per-
feet mastication which the animal gives
in this case; but it is doubtful if this ad-
vantage 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 a great amount of coarse
food with the grain, or we shall give
them more than the stomach will hold,
and the last portions eaten will force
the first ones into the intestines before
they are thoroughly impregnated with
gastric juice. Thus, two pounds of hay
and four pounds of oats are about as
much as should be fed at once when
mixed, and ii more oats are given, the
hay should be decreased. For instance,
five pounds of oats and one and one
half pounds Of hay may be given.
These facts will give us better un-
derstanding of the effect of water on
digestion. Ii, after feeding hay and
then oats, we allowa horse to take a
large drink of water, a considerable
part of the oats will be carried by the
water into the intestines, and we get
little of the advantage of feeding the
oats after the hay. Ii such a drink is
taken soon after eating 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 allowed, it will pass
the food in the stomach without chang
ifii., fi;3 US postum 10 any great extent.
When the stomach has got rid of a con-
siderable 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 at
such time, by carrying on the sub
stance 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. -. .Chicago
Field.