Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-11-27
November, 1915
Ration Experiments
for Army Horses

The veteran troop horse of the United
States army mounted forces is an cpl
cure.
Did you ever think of this in that
light?
Well, he is The knowing equine
whose glistening body turns sharply
at left guide of the squadron even
before his riders knees and wrist re-
peat to him the command of the officer
is as cranky as the old grizzled top"
of Chow put forth for him in the
shape of rations. Also, as is the case
with his human prototype in epicurean
questions, he doesn't always exhibit a
fondness for that grade of food which
Is the best for him.
For instance, he just doteS on alfalfa,
but alfalfa given in straight doses
isn't good for him. Alfalfa is a very
palatable feeding hay, but it has been
demonstrated by actual experience with
the United States cavalry that alfalfa,
unless mixed in the proportion of about
half and half with a good, well-cured
grass hay, will not produce satisfactory
results, causing horses to sour badly
and consequently lose weight.
PROMISED NEW DELIcAcY
A new delicacy has come the way of
the troop horse, however, one that
pleases his palate and yet is beneficial
to his equine health. Sudan grass may
soon be regular entry on the menu
of the stables of the army. 1t came
about in this fashion:
David B. Clarkson of Chicago, better
known as the apostle of the Sudan
grass, furnished Captain F. W. Glover,
quartermaster of the Sixth United
the grass from his big farm, near
Corpus Christi, Texas. The regiment
at that time was stationed at Texas
City, near Houston, and orders were
issued by Major General J. Franklin
Bell, commanding the army division,
providing for practical test of the
grass as to feeding qualities for ami
mails. Troop G, Captain w. J. Scott,
commanding, and Troop B, First Lieu
tenant E. A. Keys, commanding, were
selected to conduct the test, each troop
being issued 10000 pounds of the grass
for the purpose. These troops were
selected for the reason that their troop
commanders were graduates of the
mounted service school of the United
States army at Fort Riley, Kan, and
are recognized by army men as experts
on forage for animals.
WILL MAKE FORMAL REPORT
Both Captain Scott and Lieutenant
Keyes pronounced the test entirely
satisfactory, and intend to submit re-
ports to the officials at Washington
strongly recommending Sudan grass
as a feeding hay for public animals.
''The average old cavalry horse"
declares Captain Glover, "is rather
particular as to his feed, especially the
hay component of the forage ration,
and when he displays anything APP
preaching enthusiasm over his hay it
may be taken for granted that he has
got hold of something good. From the
beginning the horses went after Sudan
grass like children after candy, show
ing conclusively that 1t was a most
palatable feed; but, like children again,
everything horse likes is not neces-
sarily the best feed for him.
Sudan grass, to the exclusion of all
other hay, was fed to the horses of the
two troops mentioned for one month,
and the results were satisfactory in
every respect. The horses ate every
shred of 1t, improved in condition, and,
while IL WAS NOT practicable to weigh