Special report on diseases of the horse / by Drs. Pearson [and others].

Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Special report on diseases of the horse / by Drs. Pearson [and others]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    46/690 (page 40)
    various tissues of the body. Care must be taken in selecting oats. According to Stewart, the best oats are one year old, plump, short, hard, clean, bright, and sweet. New oats are indigestible. Kiln- dried oats are to be refused, as a rule, for even though originally good this drying process injures them. Oats that have sprouted or fer- mented are injurious and should never be fed. Oats are to be given either whole or crushed—whole in the majority of instances; crushed to old horses and those having defective teeth. Horses that bolt their feed are also best fed upon crushed oats and out of a manger large enough to permit of spreading the grain in a thin layer. The average horse requires, in addition to the allowance of hay above mentioned, about 12 quarts of good oats daily. The best oats are those cut about one week before being f ull}T ripe. Not only is the grain richer in nutritive materials at this time, but there is also less waste from “scattering” than if left to become dead ripe. Moldy oats, like hay and strawT, not only produce serious digestive disorders, but have been the undoubted cause of outbreaks of that dread disease in horses, already referred to, characterized by inability to eat or drink, sudden paralysis, and death. Wheat and rye.—These grains are not to be used as food for horses except in small quantities, bruised or crushed, and fed mixed with other grains or hay. If fed alone, in any considerable quantities, they are almost certain to produce digestive disorders, laminitis (founder), and similar troubles. They should never constitute more than one-fourth of the grain allowance, and should always be ground or crushed. Bran.—The bran of wheat is the one most used, and its value as a feeding stuff is variously estimated. It is not to be depended upon if given alone, but may be fed with other grains. It serves to keep the bowels open. Sour bran is not to be given. It disorders the stomach and intestines and may even produce serious results. Maize (corn).—This grain is not suitable as an exclusive food for young horses, as it is deficient in salts. It is fed whole or ground. Corn on the cob is commonly used as the food for horses affected with u lampas.” If the corn is old and is to be fed in this maimer it should be soaked in pure, clean water for ten or twelve hours. Corn is bet- ter given ground, and fed in quantities of from 1 to 2 quarts at a meal mixed with crushed oats or wheat bran. Be very particular in giving corn to a horse that is not accustomed to its use. It must be commenced in small quantities and very gradually increased. I know of no grain more likely to produce what is called acute indigestion than corn if these directions are not observed. Linseed.—Ground linseed is occasionally fed with other foods to keep the bowels open and to improve the condition of the skin. It is of particular service during convalescence, when the bowels are slug-