s.

Feeds should also be of a more laxative nature when the horse is to
stand for several days.

MUSTY OR MOLDY FEEDS.--Above all things, avoid feeding musty or moldy
feeds. They are very frequent causes of disease of different kinds. Lung
trouble, such as bronchitis and "heaves," often follows their use. The
digestive organs always suffer from moldy or musty feeds. Musty hay is
generally considered to produce disorder of the kidneys, and all know of
the danger from feeding pregnant animals upon ergotized grasses or
grains. It has often been said to produce that peculiar disease known
variously as cerebrospinal meningitis, putrid sore throat, or choking
distemper.

HAY.--The best hay for horses is timothy. It should be about one year
old, of a greenish color, crisp, clean, fresh, and possessing a sweet,
pleasant aroma. Even this good hay, if kept too long, loses part of its
nourishment, and, while it may not be positively injurious, it is hard,
dry, and indigestible. New hay is difficult to digest, produces much
salivation (slobbering), and occasional purging and irritation of the
skin. If fed at all it should be mixed with old hay.

_Second crop, or aftermath._--This is not considered good hay for
horses, but it is prized by some farmers as good for milch cows, the
claim being made that it increases the flow of milk. The value of hay
depends upon the time of cutting, as well as care in the curing. Hay
should be cut when in full flower, but before the seeds fall; if left
longer it becomes dry, woody, and lacks in nutrition. An essential
point in making hay is that when the crop is cut it should remain in the
field as short a time as possible. If left too long in the sun it loses
color, flavor, and dries or wastes. Smith asserts that one hour more
than is necessary in the sun causes a loss of 15 to 20 per cent in the
feeding value of hay. It is impossible to state any fixed time that hay
must have to cure, this depending, of course, upon the weather,
thickness of the crop, and many other circumstances; but it is well
known that in order to preserve the color and aroma of hay it should be
turned or tedded frequently and cured as quickly as possible. On the
other hand, hay spoils in the mow if harvested too green or when not
sufficiently dried. Mow-burnt hay produces disorder of the kidneys and
bowels and causes the horse to fall off in condition.

The average horse on grain should be allowed from 10 to 12 pounds of