The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-15


morning, except in eases where they were
doing very heavy work. In some parts of
this State this is even yet the practice, but
most experienced stabemen are now
agreed that the best results are obtained
when horses are fed three or even tour
times a day. The horse has. in proportion
TO his size, the smallest stomach of any
creature that has been dOmeStcated. He
cannot eat at one time enough food TO en-
able him to withstand long fasting periods.
Such are not only, owing to the nature
of his digestive organs, periods of great
suffering to him, but when food is at last
given him it is in quantities greater than
he can heathfully accommodate, and be is
apt TO eat too rapidly for his own good. A
horses stomach is empty at the end OF
four hours after feeding, and the feeding
times should not be much further apart
than that. For instance, if he receives his
morning feed at O'Clock. his next meal
should be given him certainly by noon
time, and this should be liberal feed. He
should then be fed again, even if but 4
couple of handfuls OF grain, at 4 or
O'clock. and at night he should have the
greater bulk Of his days allowance OF
food
The quantity of food given each day va
ries with the individual. Some horses re-
Quire more than others in order TO keep in
condition; others are easy keepers" and
once in good condition remain so on COM
paratIvely small food allowance. A horse
well ribbed up"-that is with ribs close
together and no great space between the
last rib and the hip bone-will always be
found easier TO keep in condition than one
more loosely built. The latter, too. will
be found to sweat more easily and 10 pos
sess less endurance. a horse who is q OF
IL
good browser. \ horse, say fifteen hands
high, doing moderate work, ridden or
driven a dozen to twenty miles a
day, requires, to keep in condition. about
twenty to twenty-five pounds of food. Ii
is hardly within the province OF this Paper
to discuss the chemical principles of the
different food stutfs given. but few words
upon the subject of different foods and
their uses will here be in order. If the
animal is doing slow work as light hauling
or even carriage work, he can DO 1t readily
enough upon hay alone, which is typical
food for hsTbvOrouS creatures. Here in
California, indeed, where wheat, oats and
barley constitute The bulk Of our hay, he
may even do moderately fast>work Cd such
diet but he should not be expected TO do
any twelve to twenty miles day, nor to
exhibit anv especial amount Of speed.
If he gets hay enough to supply him with
the amount of nourishmenU necessary to
keep him in condition the bulk will be so
great as to press upon the circulating and
pulmonary organs. lie Is shorter wiDded
than the grained animal, carries a greater
weight. his digestive apparatus must
respond TO greater demands and for him
10 travel Is greater exerttOn than when
his food is given him IN more compact
form. In a word, he is soft" and cannot
be pushed without serious Inconvenience,
or even injury to himself. This is one
yery important reason why some grain
bo faj 70 oil 6oir RI +baf
requires them to maintain even moderate
pace.
Saddle horses, in particular. should he
fed more grain and less hay. Their work
is nearly always of sort that causes
rapid waste of tissue. This waste should
be repaired in the way that provides the
greatest amount Of nutrlment with the
least bulk. Your bay-fed horse is sure to
be "pot-bellied," and this is always defect
in a saddler. Aside from the IN beautiful
appearace of such a mount the saddle is
apt to slip or turn on his back, and thus
become insecure.
Some bulk the animal must have in the
stomach, in order to promote digestion,
and therefore even where considerable
grain is fed. some hay must be given, as
well. to make up this bulk. Il is we'll TO
give this hay at night, as 1t can then be
given uncut. The animal has, and will
take, plenty Of time to eat it,
and It furnishes him employment dur
ing hours that would otherwise
pass heavily for him, for the horse is a
nocturnal creature, and unless very tired
seldom lies down to rest before midnight.
Ii the animal is receiving twenty pounds
of food per day. at least twelve pounds
should be hay. 1t this be good wheat hay
1t may not be necessary to give so much
grain, besides. The way to do is to study
the individual, and if he seems to do well
on, less regulate the supply accordingly. 1t
G n IN m i'm
than he needs He will travel bet
ter and feel better for being stint
ed little In this regard. Pet horses
are apt to coax, and to coax so cutely for
indulgence in this regard that they are
often overfed. A horse is not in good con-
dtIon when, as have heard fond horse
women proudly boast, you cannot see
rib" The washboard order of equine
architecture is not desirable, but still if he
is to be comfortable In travelling an AMI
mails ribs should be traceable to a certain
extent. When you ind the food allow
anne that seems to keep him in good shape
and spirits maintain about that standard.
II at any time he seems to be falling off
while not doing any work look for the
cause in his digestion or general health be-
fore you increase his feed.
Having good grain-hay, the question of
what else TO feed depends somewhat upon
the Individual. Some horses grow mis-
chievous and feel their oats" too keenly
when this stimulating diet is given and
should be fed barley instead, while some
more sluggish spirits respond less quickly
and are only gently spurred to better effort
by oats. For saddle animals, unless they
grow too risky, oats make the best feed.
This grain gives them better courage and
endurance, and keeps their coats nice
and glossy. When oats are given
little larger amount will be required
than when barley is used. Corn is too
heatening and fattening. and except to
heavy draught horses. should never be fed
in this climate. Barley should always be
crushed, and in fact all grain, even oats, is
the better for this process. 1t is good
plan, once or twice week, 10 give horse
branmash. 1t serves 20 regulate the
bowels be likes it. and it makes an agree
able change for him. Like the human
being, be is better for ana should have an
occasional change of diet Put about three
quarts of bran 10 metal vessel, and Scald
it, putting in a liberal handful of salt, and
as you like, double handful or two of In
seed meal.
Stir this to a mush and give it moder-
ately warm. Do not pour Ii into the man
ger. Never put any wet or damp food
into the manger as some will surely stick
in corners and sour. In fact. no reslduum
OF food should be allowed To remain in tie
manger. II the horse does not eat up all
you give him IL is either inferior in quality
or you are giving him TO much.
AS to quality and digestlbilty, hay and
grain differ very materially. Here in Cal
ifoTna our hay is for the most part Of
good quality. Our accommodating climate