UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AGKICULTURr. NQN CIRCULATING CHECK FOR UNBOUND CIRCULATING COPY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Agricultural Experiment Station BULLETIN NO. 150 FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES BY RUFUS C. ORRECHT URBANA, ILLINOIS, AUGUST, 1911 SUMMARY OF BULLETIN No. 150 OBJECT. A comparison of clover and timothy hay for farm horses at work; effect of mixing ground grain with chaffed clover hay; comparison of alfalfa hay with clover and with timothy hay, respectively; comparison of corn and alfalfa hay with a mixture of corn, oats, bran, oil meal, timothy and alfalfa hay; effect of grinding corn and oats when fed with wheat bran, timothy and alfalfa hay. . Page 433. PLAN. Ten teams of horses were used in the various tests. They were well-bred grade geldings, except one team of mares, with a predominance of Percheron blood. The initial weight per horse was from 1003 to 1560 pounds; but the horses- in the experiment proper only varied from 1250 to 1420 pounds. In general the plan was to feed the two horses of each team, simultaneously, on the respective rations to be compared and then reverse the rations for an equal length of time to eliminate the influence of individual feeding capacity of the horses. Page 434. CLOVER AND TIMOTHY HAY COMPARED. But little difference was observed in the value of clover and timothy hay when fed in conjunction with corn, oats, oil meal and wheat bran, the difference being slightly in favor of clover. Page 437. MIXING GRAIN WITH CHAFFED CLOVER. The results show a slight saving due to mixing ground grain with chaffed clover hay, but not sufficient to jus- tify the expense. Page 444. CLOVER AND ALFALFA HAY COMPARED. Horses fed alfalfa and timothy ate less grain and hay and gained slightly more in weight than those fed clover and timothy while doing the same amount of labor. Page 447. ALFALFA AND TIMOTHY HAY COMPARED. 20 to 22 percent less grain was required to maintain the weight of horses fed alfalfa than those fed timothy hay. Page 449. CORN AND ALFALFA HAY COMPARED WITH CORN, OATS, WHEAT BRAN, OIL MEAL, TIMOTHY AND ALFALFA HAY. Horses fed corn and alfalfa ate 22 per- cent less grain than those fed the mixed ration, and lost 6 pounds more in weight per head in eight weeks. The ration of corn and alfalfa cost 6 cents less per horse per day than the mixed ration. Page 452. GRINDING CORN AND OATS. Horses fed ground corn and oats with wheat bran, oil meal, timothy and alfalfa hay consumed 9 percent less feed and gained 3 pounds more in weight per head in six weeks than those fed whole corn and oats with a similar ration. Page 455. CONCLUSIONS. Page 457. FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES BY R. C. OBRECHT ASSISTANT CHIEF IN HORSE HUSBANDRY The 'problem of feeding work horses is one involving the economical production of energy, and maintenance of health. It is of considerable importance to know how much hay and how much grain a farm work horse at hard labor should receive in or- der that he may work with the greatest efficiency and economy. With high priced grains, it is very desirable to know the rela- tive value of different roughages in order that economy may be practiced in making up a ration for work horses. In order to de- termine some of these points a number of experiments have been conducted at this Station in feeding College and Experiment Sta- tion horses used for teaming and field work. OBJECT OF THESE EXPERIMENTS The object of these experiments was to secure data for a com- parison of rations for feeding farm work horses with respect to the following points: (i) maintenance of weight, (2) their health, spirit and ability to endure hard work, (3) economy of the ration. In Bulletin 141, issued by this Station, it was shown that clover hay is greatly superior to timothy hay as the roughage part of a ration when fed in conjunction with corn and oats for fleshing horses for market. The question has been frequently asked re- garding the relative merits of clover for feeding farm work horses. In order to throw some light upon this subject a test was made in which clover was compared with timothy hay. PLAN In the spring of 1908 a test was planned involving seven teams, whereby one horse in each team \vas to receive timothy hay, and the other clover hay. With but few exceptions each horse in the team worked an equal number of hours with his mate and at the same kind of labor. After three months one team became unfit for hard work, due to unsoundness of side-bones and spavins, and had to be discarded from the final results, thus leaving only six teams in the test. (Later three additional teams were used.) 433 434 BULLETIN Xo. 150 [August, The roughages used were choice timothy hay and choice clover hay. However, the timothy was of slightly better quality than the clover used, which was the best obtainable under local conditions. The clover hay (medium red variety) was of good quality and free from dust, , but a little dark and contained some corn stalks. Each feed of hay was weighed to the horse and recorded and any refuse left was weighed back and deducted from the amount fed, which occurred more often with the horses receiving clover than those receiving timothy. The quantity of grain fed was left largely to the feeder's judgment, the amount being determined by the in- dividuality of the horse, some receiving more than others. The grains fed were corn, oats, oil meal and bran. The corn was of good quality ; the bran was of good grade, some from Minneapo- lis, and some from Kansas mills; the oil meal was old process pea size. The test was divided into periods of four weeks each and ex- tended over twelve periods, or 336 days. During the first seven periods one of the horses in each team was fed timothy and the other clover, while during the five remaining periods, the hay was reversed so that the horses first receiving timothy received clover and those receiving clover received timothy, thus checking any dif- ferences in the individuality of the horses. All weights of the horses in this experiment both at the begin- ning and close of each period, were obtained by taking the average 'of three days' weights. The horses were weighed in the morning after receiving grain and hay but before watering, on the day pre- vious to the close of the period or of the experiment as the case may be, the closing day and again the following day. During the hot weather a few of the teams received about two gallons of water in the morning before feeding and weighing, the quantity always being limited and the same amount given to each horse in the team. There is bound to be considerable fluctuation in the weight of horses from day to day owing to the amount of water consumed, the work done, and the amount of perspiration. Extreme cases show as much variation as seventy pounds on succeeding days un- der similar conditions of weighing. One of the horses, No. 59, refused to eat oil meal and conse- quently it was omitted from his ration. This horse, apparently, was not in the best of health for he did not consume as much grain as he should have in order to maintain his weight. He appeared well but for some reason lacked appetite enough to consume rela- tively as much grain as the other horses. Each horse was branded with a number on his hoof as an identification mark and the records of the horses were taken by numbers rather than by names. The horses varied in age from four to nine years. With the exception of the one team above mentioned, all were sound and in good health and remained so thruout the experiment. FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES 435 In recording the amount of work done it was graded as hard and medium labor. Hard labor involves such work as plowing, harrowing, working on the binder and mower and heavy teaming, such as hauling feed and manure. Medium labor involved such work as hauling manure over good roads, shelling corn, light cul- tivation, etc., some of which might be called hard labor by many teamsters. This division of labor is of course an arbitrary one for it is very difficult to say just where one stops and the other begins. In fact it is the total number of hours of labor that is of greatest importance. The work frequently required of the teams was such as would be done by three horses on most farms ; for in- stance, plowing and working on a disc harrow or disc drill. How- ever, the working hours were not so long. Ordinarily the teams were started to work at seven o'clock in the morning and worked until six at night with one hour for noon, with the exception of Saturdays when work usually stopped at five. During the winter months the work day was only nine hours. THE HORSES The horses were all well-bred grade geldings with the excep- tion of one team, Nos. 51 and 52, which were mares. Most of them showed evidence of Percheron blood, tho some had more of the characteristics of the Shire and others of the Belgian. In selecting the horses an effort was made to get them as nearly uni- form as possible in the team and with equal feeding qualities. They were all in good condition at the beginning of the experiment. Two of the teams, Nos. 5 and 6, belonged to the Agronomy Department. These did the hardest work and most of it came during the spring and summer months, as most farm work does. Team No. 4 was owned by the Department of Dairy Husbandry. This team as well as the three teams owned and used by the Ani- mal Husbandry Department, Nos. i, 2 and 3, worked quite hard almost every work-day thruout the year. It frequently happened that the hauling of feed and manure over bad roads during the winter months was quite as hard as the farm work during the summer, with the exception of slightly shorter days. In determining the cost of feeding the horses, the following prices for feeds were used : Corn 50c per bushel Oats 40c per bushel Wheat bran $20.00 per ton Oil meal $32.00 per ton Clover hay $10.00 per ton Timothy hay $12.00 per ton Alfalfa hay $16.00 per ton 436 BULLETIN No. 150 [August, TABLE l. TEAM NUMBER, HOOK NUMBER, L/OT NUMBER, BREED, AGE, AND INITIAL WEIGHT OF HORSES USED IN THESE TESTS Team Hoof No. IvOt No. Predominance of breed character April 2, 1908 Age Weight 1 51 52 1 2 Percheron Percheron 8 7 1379 1378 2 57 58 1 2 . Shire Percheron 4 4 1395 1375 3 60 59 1 2 \ Shire | Percheron j Percheron / Shire 4 4 1292 1292 4 64 65 1 2 Belgian Belgian 6 7 1338 1420 5 66 67 1 2 Percheron Percheron 7 8 1302 1250 - 6 69 68 1 2 j Belgian | Percheron j Percheron I Belgian 8 9 1393 1348 7 72 73 1 2 j Percheron | Shire Shire March 27, 1909 4 4 1309 1303 8 74 . 75 1 2 Amer. Trotter Amer. Trotter 5 5 1251 1270 9 76 77 1 2 Amer. Trotter Amer. Trotter 6 5 1003 1094 10 79 78 1 2 Percheron Percheron March 26, 1910 7 7 1560 1482 TABLE 2. TEAM NUMBER, HOOP NUMBER, L/OT NUMBER, KIN^D OF HAY FED, INITIAL AND FINAL WEIGHT AND GAIN OF HORSES Team 6 to fH o a d * -*j o a Kind of hay fed April 2 to Oct. 15, 1908 Weight Gain or loss Ibs. Kind of hay fed Oct. 15, '08 to March 4, '09 Weight March 4 Gain or loss Ib. April 2 Oct'r 15 1 51 52 1 2 .Timothy Clover 1379 1378 1386 1441 7 63 Clover Timothy 1359 1341 -27 -100 2 i7 58 1 2 Timothy Clover 1395 1375 1382 1380 -17 5 Clover Timothy 1515 1555 133 175 3 60 59 1 2 Timothy Clover 1292 1292 1319 1259 27 -33 Clover Timothy 1377 1239 58 -20 4 64 65 1 2 1 2 1 2 Timothy Clover 1338 1420 1338 1374 00 -46 Clover Timothy 1404 1416 66 42 5 66 67 Timothy Clover 1302 1250 1318 1317 16 67 Clover Timothy 1363 1289 45 -28 6 69 68 Timothy Clover 1393 1348 1399 1405 6 57 Clover Timothy 1568 1408 169 3 Aver- age 1 2 Timothy Clover 1350 1344 1357 1363 7 19 Clover Timothy 1431 1375 74 12 FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES 437 From Table i it will be seen that the horses were fairly un- form in size and age. Table 2 shows the kind of hay fed, the initial and closing weight and gains of the various horses during the first seven periods of the test and also during the last five peri- ods when the hay was reversed. It will be noticed from this table that Lot i averaged six pounds heavier per horse at the beginning of the experiment than Lot 2 and made 12 pounds less gain per horse during the first seven periods when fed on timothy hay and 62 pounds more gain during the last five periods when fed on clover hay. The average daily grain and hay by periods are grouped to- gether in Tables 3 and 4, bringing out clearly the fact that the horses receiving clover hay consumed slightly less grain and hay during the first seven periods and made 12 pounds more gain per horse than those receiving timothy hay. When the hay was re- versed, Lot i getting the clover, made 62 pounds more total gains per horse during the last five periods than those getting timothy 'hay, but it will be noticed that they were also getting 1.2 pounds more grain per day than the other lot. This seemingly large gain should be attributed in part to the greater amount of grain fed as well as to the influence of clover. During the first seven periods the horses receiving clover hay did the same amount of work as those receiving timothy hay and on less feed, but when the hay was reversed the gains decreased. The data indicates that there is but little difference in the value of clover and timothy hay when fed in conjunction with corn, oats, oil meal and bran, for feeding farm work horses at hard labor, the difference shown here being slightly in favor of clover. It should be definitely understood, however, that it is not the common practice to feed as great a variety or as near a balanced ration of concentrates as was used in this test. Had corn alone been used as the concentrate quite dif- ferent results would be anticipated. In other words the roughage part of the ration is not of great importance when the grain fed ap- proximates a well balanced ration. All the horses in the test remained in good health thruout the experiment excepting Xo. 60, which was subject to an occasional attack of colic. There was no noticeable difference in the spirit or the ability of the horses to endure hot weather. The horses receiving the clover hay had glossier coats of hair, which is indica- tive of thrift. Their bowels were looser, but not to such an ex- tent as to be objectionable for doing hard work. The teamsters Avere frequently asked as to the zest and ability of the horses for endurance, and they reported that no observable difference could be detected, altho most of them had been prejudiced in favor of tim- othy hay at the beginning. Many people are prejudiced against using clover hay as feed for horses fearing it will produce heaves. Heaves 438 Bui.f.KTIN NO. ISO [August, Pd O td >, '3 t/T < t^ V 3 00 ON 00 00 t^ 00 S 3 ON C > CO t^ O vo iC * S '-3 _ 2 * ^ ri v, <; 1-1 P N V 3 O !- OO ON H- 1 M -rf- O O l^ oo oo CO r> ) O 00 00 CO rH -H- 1/3 O iC f N O ON ON VC OO 3 ON vo cO M ON 00 vo rH rf W TH LI o ON ^ M r 1 ^f VO VO ON cO -i CN co n 1 1-- rH CJ irj $! D a_x M C rO c< 3 00 00 ON CO iO rt o > g ^1^ rH r- q- l- - O O 00 ON ON 1C 1C ON 00 0) ri c "^ 1/3 i/ 3 vo vo VC iC vo O vo 5' C '-S rH ,3 ^ ri ic 1C 0! 1C 3 l^ i/3 i/3 iC vo VO M cO vo c rt 2 rH-J3 rH O ON \ ri r-l r-l f\l f-1 1 ON ON ON ON ON 2 S Tf ON ^ e vo ri tn t* t^ Ol 00 cO VO vo - vo ON ON ON vo iC 1C ^ n be u vo v: 3 1^ l^ t^ 1> !> VC S ,T w t^ t- - fM 00 CO vo vo - vo ON ON ON vo 00 rH 1/3 1/3 < o VO V 3 t- t^" I"-* t^ t-* 1C -d o 'C u rH c> CO ^f iC VO t^- oo a. C 3 X 00 00 00 CO o o o o o 'C be rH ,., >> be "a, 2 5 3 3 0) : ^ < & o Total Average . o 00 00 vo -1- * VO vo ^ vo 1C fN vo rH O VO VO vo i rt 00 ^. 00 O vo g; 0) ri O if) ^'^'^ r-l r-l VC rH 1/3 1/3 rH rH te vo rH $ 1C 1C 1> vo a; ON vo M .c ^r % vo ON !> 2 f>l ri rH rH rO *o ^~ CO * *- 1C vo tO rH rO VO oo C, c rH M rH rH oo p 00 C P I? November 12 December 10 January 7. . . February 4. . March 4 "o H Average . FKKIUNC; FARM WORK HORSES 439 C1 - I .- V. 4 > < ^> '** O -rt J2 3-C g |J= oo t^ oo o t^ O d l> VO 00 ON oo' 00 t> TH 00 g 3 cO cO l>- 00 VO b. ^ C o 3 u 3 . co vo o r^ oo o -*t- VO 00 cO "f CO 3 "o X o to n o oo oo co VO vo -H 8 vo Os O Os Os vo 00 'O co ON vo cO f>l Os oo >o TH -+ TH c u 2 * X3 Tj i *""* 5 rl TH TH $ TH ! 1 1 ON ci TH 4 ! _ ^ ti rQ J.2 s| ^ ^ * !Cf-( S C-J vo ^ t^ vo VO CO r-i o ON os o -* o cO CO f~l ri co co co i < 2 u -d > & u - b >% a> l^ t^ 00 CO co CO VO TH 10 t- t- 1-" Os Os oo t^ 0) rt O ^H vo vo vo vo vo vo O vO "O o TH .0 rt VO os vo TH r^ t^* t^* i*^ f 00 l>- vo vo to vo CO CM CO vo d M * -f 5J-3 Cl ON ON ON ON ON Os v^g o VO 3 n rt t x l * O ON vo vo ON vo vo rj- vo l^- !>. ON I> fM V br. VO vo 1- t- t- t- vo O t^* vo nJ * Period TH f>l CO * "I VO I>- cfl "O g g ao g g g g .2 ^ he &l *C 5jS > TH : o 53 ^' o- 10 "2 " ^ ri ^ S c B^sSUl o> ^ p *3 ^ u w Total Average O 00 ON '**' ON M 00 vo vo * * o vo vo VO vo ON n TH O TH TH ON VO O O O\ O VO O TH o oo Os t^ CO * 00 TH 00 TH TH rH '0 00 t- ON I> Js CO vo VO TH VO t^ CO W N CO * if) TH C-l * 1 1 1 * TH ^ LUSIVE TH ON VO O VO VO * rO rO co co CO o fc -H n tH g 00 ^J3 VO 00 * 00 vo nj _, .M 00 00 TH CM VO g 3 Q O Drt to T(- i/) vo vo > t d3 TH TH TH TH TH TH t^ t^ t*- vo VO to LO vo ON 00 00 vo n M Os vo i> oo 00 00 I> T}- CO n vo CO vo VO VO VO vo vo CO vo CO N O TH t> O 00 VO Tj- TH r-t O M TH 00 VO O vo vo vo Os u ^ -a b ^ 3 v J: Q ^fa S Total Average . . 440 BULLETIN No. 150 [Auyiut, is a digestive trouble and more likely to be produced with clo- ver hay than with timothy due principally to the fact that clover is more palatable and consequently a horse is more likely to gorge himself with it when given all he will eat. Dusty hay is more , likely to produc j heaves than hay of good quality, and the danger from feeding it may be lessened by sprinkling it with lime water. In arriving at the weight of a horse for a certain feeding period the average of the initial and closing weights were used. The weight of a horse being a variable quantity dependent upon the amount of flesh carried, should be taken in that flesh in which we wish to keep him when at work. In this test the average weight for the 12 periods was used and the grain and hay per 100 pounds live weight computed from this average. METHODS OF FEEDING Since the stomach of a horse is a comparatively small organ, the average size being only 3^2 gallons while that of a cow, of which there are four compartments, has a capacity of 55 to 60 gallons, it will readily be seen that the horse is poorly adapted to consuming relatively large quantities of coarse feeds. Due to the large amount of crude fiber in hay it requires considerable energy for its digestion and also a much longer time than grains, In feed- ing the horses used in these tests the practice was adopted of giv- ing the grain in approximately three equal feeds, fed morning, noon and night. The morning feed was given between 5 and 5 130, the noon feed at 12' and the evening feed at 6. As the horses be- gan work at 7 o'clock in the morning, this gave them a full hour and one-half in which to consume and digest their feed before starting to work. One hour was taken for the noon feed. The hay was divided into three feeds; fully half and sometimes a lit- tle more was given in the 'evening, about one-fourth in the morning and a little less than one-fourth at noon. . It is believed that much of the digestive troubles of horses are due to the over-feeding on roughages and putting them at work with a distended stomach af- ter they have been allowed to gorge themselves with hay. It is a better plan to limit the hay during the morning and noon feed and give most of it at night when they have a long period of rest and plenty of time for its digestion. On Saturday nights the regular grain feed was omitted during the first year and a four pound bran mash given in its stead. This was done in order to keep the horses' bowels in good condition, but when an occasional run on grass is given the bran is not necessary. On Sunday the noon feed of grain was omitted and an extra four pounds of hay was given in the morning to teams Nos. i, 2 and 3. The other three teams received their regular noon feed of grain FEEIHNC FARM \\"UKK HORSES 441 as usual on Sundays but no additional hay. During other idle days for whatever cause, after one day had elapsed, the grain was re- duced to one-half the usual amount and continued for four days, when it was gradually increased again until the normal amount was given. When the horse was put to work he was put back immedi- ately on his regular grain feed. This was done to prevent azo- turia and it seems to be an efficient method. During the time when a horse receives exercise he is expending energy and his system readily carries off the waste products, but during enforced idleness the system becomes much more sluggish especially when the horse is not accustomed to inactivity. For this reason he should not be fed a full amount of grain for he is not expending the energy he does when at work, or having exercise, and consequently the system is soon likely to become stagnant in not being able to free itself of the waste material. After the elapse of a short time the horse's system seems to readjust itself to its new mode of life, then there is not the clanger from giving full feed of grain that there is when he is not accustomed to idleness. EFFECT OF MINGLING GRAIN WITH CHAFFED HAY Every observant feeder has noticed that some horses pass a considerable quantity of undigested grain in their feces. Horses with ravenous appetites are more likely to do this than others, due to the fact that they do not chew and masticate their food thoroly before swallowing it and are given insufficient time for its diges- tion before being put at hard work. This is especially true when at hard work and large feeds of grain are given. In order to find a means of preventing this loss and also of maintaining the health of the horses it was decided to conduct a test where ground grain was mingled with chaffed hay for one horse, while the other in the teams received ground grain and the same kind of hay unchaffed, but the grain and hay were not mingled. As a preliminary study for this test it was observed that from an average of a number of trials conducted with the Experiment Station farm horses it re- quired about thirteen minutes to consume five and one-half pounds of grain (equal quantities of ground oats and cracked corn) when thoroly dampened, twenty-seven minutes to consume the same quantity when fed dry, and about twenty-two minutes to consume the same quantity when fed whole and dry; the difference in time being due to the fact that ground oats and cracked corn fed dry require a longer time for thoroly mixing with saliva in preparation for swallowing. In carrying out this test of feeding the ground grain mingled with chaffed hay, the entire morning and noon feeds of hay were chaffed and the grain was mingled with it. In most cases from 442 BULLETIN No. 150 \.-liujusi, three to four pounds of chaffed hay were fed in the morning and usually from two to three pounds of chaffed hay were given at noon and two pounds of chaffed hay in the evening, the remainder of the evening hay being fed whole. A like quantity of long hay was fed to the other lot of horses and the grain was ground and fed dry in the usual manner, not mixed with chaffed hay. It was thot that the chaffed hay -would not be any more digestible or any more nutritious than the long hay except as it would cause a slower consumption of the grain and a more complete mastication of it. During a part of the time the grain mingled with the chaffed hay was slightly dampened to allay the dust and prevent it from being inhaled as well as to cause the grain and hay to adhere to each other. The dampening of the chaffed hay and grain was discon- tinued during the hot weather as some of the horses would not al- ways thoroly clean up their feed at time of feeding and it would soon sour when left in the feed box. If the grain is mingled with enough chaffed hay there need be no danger of foundering horses from over-feeding as they will get so much crude fiber that they are not likely to over-eat. XKW KORSES ADDED As team No. 2 was later disposed of they were no longer used in these tests, but three new teams were added. Team No. 7, hoof Nos. 72 and 73, were used by the Dairy Department, as were also team No. 9, hoof Nos. 76 and 77, a five and six year old pair of geldings, w 7 hich showed a predominance of American Trotting Horse blood. Team No. 8, hoof Nos. 74 and 75, were a pair of five year old grade geldings, which showed no particular predom- inance of any blood unless it \vas of the American Trotting Horse. They were used by the Grounds Department in caring for the Uni- versity campus and drives. Nos. 76 and 77 were used on the Uni- versity milk wagon for the retail delivery of milk thru the city. They worked seven days per week or twenty-eight days a period where the other horses in the experiment worked only twenty-four days per period at the most, often less. This team made the route every day regularly regardless of weather, usually starting at 7 a. m. and returning by 12:30 noon, sometimes a little earlier and sometimes a little later. The wagon to which they were hitched weighed 1280 pounds empty and 2400 pounds loaded; the usual route was thirteen miles long. With the discontinuing of team No. 2 and the addition of three new teams it became necessary to re-lot the horses in order to bal- ance the lots and make them as nearly uniform as possible. Teams Nos. i and 3 were reversed so that Nos. 52 and 59 were designated Lot i and Nos. 51 and 60 Lot 2. FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES 443 TABIl Total labor, hours Medium ON ^ CN *O *! *O *1- -ri- ro r i TJ- rH h 3 ON VO O * oo iO >O 'O C-1 iO ~* rH rH r-> r^ ri n ~r l~> t/) . "*"1 VH tfl o rH M 1 1 1 T T fflj C^ rO O ON c: vo rH rH rH iO fl 00 M CO rH 'ri . 2 rt x +j o O ON O rH rO ON iO r-i iO iO ^*- >o >o Whole clover O 0. "5 vo oo i> 00 O CM I> ^ ^ l " Cl It ro M ^* 1- t- r. ri i^ ri Average daily grain, Ib. "ri O vo o oo SO ri ** >O iO r-i rH rH ^- rH a ri PQ rH IO ci VO ON \o oo 1 ON M rH Ground oats vo OO t-- rH IO Cl rH O O O l^ I> C-1 Cracked corn rH IO M 38 1> t- vc ^H !> pouaj rH M tO M be If) 1^ d rH 1 ^ rO Cl to ro iO O ri n rH rH VO 00 rH IO 10 ri C4 rH O rH rH rH r< f 1 M rH "g fc 00 ON =a > * 00 t^ ON (O VO rH t> t> * M TT (N rH rH r H ro ri VO to ri vo ro rH 00 ON M' ri H- rj CO ON $8 t^ ON ON CN rH rH O rH rO rH rH M VO rH rH O rH rO 'O ^O rH rH rH * u, t- * rH rH *> bC Total... Average 446 BULLETIN No. 150 uT 0) O be) rt cti V* -H aT Is X Ov M O\ CO iO O\ CO 00 vo ^ .** < ri "O .* 0--= * VO 00 l^ CM I> CM B 3 O * vo CO X O 2 * rt u O V s vo co iO * * CO rH 3* "H *f CM CO t^> vo ON -H id M CO O 1^ CM vo -t TH TH TH O co co ^h <* rH I s js. O^ CO VO i 7 i 00 rO fO TH 1 1 Sjf T O O a 'C a O co oo rH T-I rH iO CM t^ O\ 00 M rO rH 13 -f O co rf * '3 . tj r-t rH rH VO iO "I- rH be S^> rt rt "S t 35 rH * O IO VC rl x oo oo o oo 5* S x HO ON CM VO -0 rH O rH t > * CM 13 iO 00 00 O I- G\ rH O 00 O o ~ VO >O 'O VO !O ,0 a ri t^ co vo 00 vo CO .5 CM CM be 13 - 4) 8 8 53 > ^S rt V d a * ^- o\ o\ * 00 cM CM rH VO CM Rj V o rt >: o CJ t>- l~ O rH t^ CM < d v r ^ * 00 CM CM rH vO CM 2 2 w o l"^- t^* vo fM ^ pOI J9d rH fM CO ^, QJ "H >> v Total Average . ,0 rH 00 rH CO TH * ON CO CM VO CO CO rH ON ^ o5 TH rH rH rH co' vo' rH t. vo CM T-H 1 1 1 CO cM oo CM rH rH IO CM rH rH CO CM rH rH iO rH O CO VO JJ b^b ^J 00 CO CO VO * CM 10 ri ON rH 8 rH ON CO rH vo rH S ci CO VO rH co 00 S o\ S N r) vo CM - CO rH oo ON O s 0> O rH VO VO rH VO 2 co rH TH CM rH vo VO r-t O * vo TH 3 August 14. . 13 "o H Average . . . jo//] FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES 447 was no chemical analysis made there was no means of determin- ing the quantity passed in this manner. However, it appeared from the closest observation that could be made that manure from the horses receiving ground grain mingled with chaffed hay had less grain in evidence than those receiving the grain unmixed with hay. Where the hay and grain were mixed the feces seemed to be in a better condition and the general condition of the horses appeared to be slightly better, as indicated by their coat of hair. Where horses are fed a heavy grain ration near the limit in quantity, it is believed it is beneficial in preserving the health of the horse to mingle the grain with chaffed hay, altho the results of this test do not show any marked saving. No. 60, which was subject to colic, had fewer attacks when his grain was mixed with chaffed hay than when fed separate. Where the grain is fed with chaffed hay horses are obliged to consume their grain much more slowly and consequently masticate it more thoroly. Corn being a very concentrated and carbonaceous feed sometimes produces dele- terious results when fed alone in large quantities. It is believed, however, that its principal danger as a feed for horses is its small amount of crude fiber and low protein content. If a sufficient amount of crube fiber in some form or other were introduced into the ration it would produce a feed which would compare more nearly with oats. For this purpose choice clover or alfalfa hay is preferred to timothy or straw for the reason that the clover and alfalfa furnish more protein than timothy and, too, the ends of chaffed alfalfa and clover are not nearly so sharp on the horse's mouth as chaffed timothy or straw. CHAFFED CLOVER COMPARED WITH CHAFFED ALFALFA At the close of the above test on August 14, 1909, the horses in Lot i continued to receive their grain mixed with chaffed clover hay, while those in Lot 2 were given their grain mixed with chaffed alfalfa. This test extended over five periods, from August 14 to January i, 1910, in which chaffed clover was compared with chaffed alfalfa, as a supplement for the grain. The results of this test giving the average daily grain and hay by periods, weight, gain and labor record are set forth in Tables 8 and 9. Tables 8 and 9 show that the horses receiving alfalfa, received one-fourth pound less grain and one-third pound less hay per horse per clay than those receiving the chaffed clover. Those re- ceiving alfalfa did approximately the same amount of labor with less grain and less hay and made a little more gain than those re- ceiving clover. During this experiment it will be noticed that the alfalfa was gradually increased so that the horses became accus- tomed to it and there was an opportunity to study its effect upon them. 448 BULLETIN No. 150 [.luyust. Q W X M g * ^ 5 g w h) S3 < C< Average daily labor work days, hours n x t^i vo VO d l> rH rH x co CO rH 00 I> VO J> VO i/3 t> ro Total labor, hours o 0) a rH M "* * ON C4 rO ON OM> T-t rH Tt- LO VO ON r-l O VO * 00 <*> vO LO M "H id ffi 1C t rO rH vo ON O iO rO O ON ON CO rH VO Tf rH VO O rH O **O O C-l VO rH 1=15 00 00 rO rH W N +++ + 00 W U3 rH ++ fill J! G i >*v* rO rH OS M rO VO l^ ON O C4 N rj d ro ro 00 M iO ON * > '3 . O J2 0) ** ^^ 2 rt 5* > < 13 o H d ON > C3 rH t>. ON c-\ x ON ON x * * rh rt 10 U) 1/3 I> iO t^ rH J

VO ON rH -* O T)- ro O VO LO VO r<3 O iO I> l^ t- t- t> t^ t> ro O 3 j 00 t^ 00 VO t^ rH t-i N M If) rH i* _C .C H ^ vc o * ve vo Th LO 10 ts C4 O 00 1>I> VO O O * VO ro Average daily grain, Ib. *c3 o H n * I-H M ON rH CJ O iH f-i VO i/3 ^O O VO I-t rH I-H r-t rH ss 00 VO l^- rH a PQ t> O\ * vo ON ON t^ ON O\ l- iO ON * 00 <* M M N C4 (S M 1 S O\if> O\ * O\ ON O\ CK t^ I>- oo a\ ^H * Ground oats CO iO * 00 "3 O I- O C l^ 00 Tf VO ON VO i/3 VO VO >O ON 10 M Cracked corn 00 1C -3- 00 T> O l> O O l^ X rj- O ON O iO vo vo iO ON iO Cl pouaj H (si ro * U3 *%% Q) O ** *Jft ^j- a r- o> o o oj S $0Q Total Average . . . 5 w rH vo rO M LO VO O X rH rH vo ro 1 X t VO t> VO iO t> ro vo X t^ rH Cl rH X M O vo vo t^ ON rH VO LO Tt t^ LO Tf vo O\ X vo rH X TJ- or. vo ON "t- VO N rH LO ON rH O rH rH rH rH ON t> LO rH d rH ON * vO -H rH X VO rO l> X ON CJ rO -r ri C3 ro ro ro X rH iO ro ON ON X O X 32 rO rO vo VO vo LO>O t^ rH 5 VO X d ro * ON rH rsi rf rO ro -0 rH X "rt < = vovot-t-t- rO ^H < 3 1 ff X vo i * rH fN C4 VO rH vo IO rO ON ON X X O T ri V-- rH t> t> vo vo VO LO I> rO tSi2i8o rO * I> v/3 vO LO LO VO "O t>" 'O rO VO r^ ON X ON ON l>- vfl t^ ro X M Cl N N M rH X ON rH * 5 t^ ON O VO iO fN X LO LO LO O vo ON 10 H- TJ- n vo O^ I"** O\ O vO VO LO fN X LO vo vo VO LO ON vo rH M rO Tf vo ^ 1 s . "?""*- . .O *" rH D "5 O V J3 C/5 O2 Q r-j Total Average . . . iyii\ FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES 449 ALFALFA COMPARED WITH TIMOTHY In order to further study the effect of alfalfa hay in the ration for work horses it was decided to compare it with timothy hay. The plan of the test was the same as previously, excepting that one' horse in each team should receive alfalfa hay and the other horse timothy hay. January i, Lot i, the horses receiving the chaffed clover, was changed to a ration where the hay fed was all timothy while Lot 2 was continued on part timothy and part alfalfa. During the first period of th'e test Lot i was given their grain mingled with chaffed timothy and Lot 2 with 'chaffed alfalfa. Because some of the horses seriously objected to consuming the chaffed timothy, due perhaps to the exceedingly sharp ends of the timothy straw, the chaffed timothy was discontinued at the end of Period i and also the chaffed alfalfa. From this time on the grain was not mixed with chaffed hay for 'any of the horses. From 10^2 to ii pounds of alfalfa and 5 pounds of timothy per horse was fed daily to Lot 2 until the end of the period when they were put on all alfalfa. The summary of the results of this test are set forth in Tables 10 and n. It will be noticed that the horses of Lot 2, receiving timothy and alfalfa, received nearly one pound less grain per horse per day and .2 pound more hay than those of Lot i, which received all timothy hay during the first three periods of the experiment from January i to March 26. During this time the horses receiving the al- falfa hay lost seven pounds per horse, while Lot i lost nine pounds and all did approximately the same amount of labor. These data would indicate that where alfalfa hay is fed as part of the rough- age ration, it will in a measure replace some of the grain. At the beginning of the next period, March 28, 1910, a new team, No. TO was introduced into the experiment and at the close of the first period, April 23, team No. 3 was no longer used, as they were later disposed of. From March 26 .to May 21 Lot i continued to receive timothy as the roughage and Lot 2 were given all alfalfa with the exception of a few feeds of timothy, which were fed to some of the horses through error. The latter part of Table 1 1 shows that the horses receiving tim- othy hay received four pounds more grain per horse per day than those receiving alfalfa. Both lots of horses lost approximately the same amount during the two periods Lot i, 13 pounds and Lot 2, 12 pounds. The horses receiving the alfalfa hay did an average of nearly one-half hour less work per day than those receiving timothy; this, difference being due largely to No. 75, which was unable to work part of the time on account of lameness caused from poor shoeing. It will be noticed that this horse did not main- tain his weight any better than the other horses, even tho he did not work all the time. 450 BULLETIN No. 150 [August, g S w fe _ 0> O ^ s.s 5 0^ f 00 ^5 ^O ON 00 rH Cl ^ ?1 > ~ J^ <-> >o' vo" i>-' O vo oo oo VO 00 ^ ~5 o "^ Cl d S _3 5! S . 1 ro rH * ON CO M C-l rH ri -t VO 00 i_ re W * rH Th VO ON ^ rO rH C-J rH oo oo rH rH rO r^ C . 10 ro 00 O\ 00 OO VO CO rj u. rH CN| rH ro Q ^^ 1 7 f *" be re ^ cti ~~ O * 00 00 >O rH t^ VO C'l VO rO VH JM rrt *O M M ON >O rH o o t^ O o !o' iO iO iO iO C iO 're . H rH rH r-( Tf rH rH rH CO rH -d x) O *""* "2 ^_ : i "5 ON ON VO 2 re o " O > E tlj " ON O t> O M rH l^ w% C-l rH 00 ^t rH rH oo ri rO rH 10' 10' rH rH g'a 13 O O iO C4 00 n S S rH rj- 10 ^f 10 00 ON ON "o CO P-l ^J- O rO t>- 00 10 r- rO rH H rH rH fi . c re O CO rH M O CO S 2 SJS 00 * VO 00 C - oo 00 ON ro t>- S 0^ 8 *H S ri rH M rn' re d d ' C 5 3 * J >O rH >O i O iO rH rO t^. r\| oo r-i r^ S be re 1O iO iO ,o' 10 vo' t-' rH~ ^ C O > d 10 rH I/) rH O IO rH rO VO O oo n N vp rH - rH o POT J9d rH Cl rO 4 u, * " be V ' D 4J n E g^ VO VO be M ^H , ^ ' -'3 r , M <^ re '- rH r ' 1 S rt- iS ^ "2 re ii a; > 'C ^ a. re > r-J fa S H <^ 2 Kg K c tn" 00 "O 3 00 Iv 1C * ic ci O rO 1C 00 SfJ K oo If v O ic vo oo o vo 00 IV 1C t>- rH o Sg Medium VO 00 rH * oo rH rO c oo' 1C t> r-( tH VO 00 ro TH 15 a rO rH rO Iv ON 00 ro rH oo' vo ** rH rH O 00 I> 1C l^ ffi rH ro ^ ro rH c - M ON rH l^ ro O ro ri rt o c .0 O -H * I rH rH I 1 CI rH &2 ^ ON 00 l^ rH VO D h " S, 1C VO C~1 rH rH rH 1C 1C O ro *! rH rO rH ro rO rH rH vo co ,0 "3 o M O * r< rH rH ro rn vo ic * rH VO ro 1C C O ro rt ri M 2 : : ON O rH Tf ' ' cd *- : : t- N " rO O OJ rH C-l r-> rO M ^ "^ T(- vo ic VO M ON ro M rn V bo 1 ^ rO O O rH rH * 00 ' * 1C rH rH O 1C cd O s.c 1C ON ON rO TH n- oo Tf Cl rO rH * f 1 ^ Ho * ^ TH "3 rH ON 1C X rH O M 1C 1C 1C 00 t-~ rH rO O ON ON o r-1 rH ro l* d rO * Iv ro H rH rH rH rO rH rH rH O rH ^ c M i-- n rH ^> rH rH V) tpH a rH 00 ON rH O c m Cl rH M 1C -H cd IH he ii ctf oo 00 ro " ] J^> u s cd c V C ri} 3 *j 00 I> tv T-t O * ri -t oo o oo 0*1 he O cd 1- O 1C 1C 1C 1C 1C VO l^ ro VO h rh ** q D r* ao t^ ON ro 00 rH ON ON Cd O 1C 1C 1C iC 1C VO l^ rO VO poi J3d T-H C1 rO 4xc 1 ^ J J vJ 1) be -, rt rO '. V he rH Cd c'-S jj .2 *^ J3 S5 'C >^ * 55 Tj- 0) C & D HI fa S > H < p^ cd < s > H < 452 BULLETIN No. 150 [August, During the time Lot 2 received all alfalfa, the oil meal and bran was discontinued from their ration with the exception of a very small amount which was fed at the beginning of the test. The results of this test indicate that when a mixed grain ration of corn and oats is fed in conjunction with alfalfa, 20 to 22 per cent less grain is needed to maintain the weight of work horses, than where the grain is fed in conjunction with timothy. CORN AND ALFALFA COMPARED WITH CORN, OATS, BRAN, OIL MEAL, TIMOTHY AND ALFALFA At the close of the above test it was decided to continue feed- ing some of the horses on alfalfa and omit the oats from the grain ration, feeding all corn. One horse in each of three teams was fed in this manner, while the other horse received a mixed grain ration of corn, oats, oil meal and bran and a small amount of al- falfa replaced a part of the timothy. The test extended over two periods from May 21 to July 16, the results of which are set forth in Tables 12 and 13. It will be noticed that the horses in the various lots did an equal amount of labor. The horses getting the mixed ration with timothy and alfalfa hay received an average daily ration of 18. 16 pounds grain while those of Lot 2 receiving corn and alfalfa got only 14.1 pounds grain per day. Both lots of horses received the same amount of hay. This helps to emphasize the conclusion of the previous test, that where alfalfa is fed it will in a measure replace a part of the grain; in this case about 22 percent. At the prices of feed given on page 435, the ration of corn and alfalfa cost 6 cents less per horse per day than the mixed ration, which would ordinarily mean a saving of $15.00 to $20.00 per horse annually. Those getting the corn and alfalfa lost an average of eight pounds per horse while the others lost only two pounds per horse. At no time during the test were there noticed any delete- rious results from the feeding of alfalfa. The horses ate it with more relish than timothy and it did not prove to be as loosening to the bowels as clover. The alfalfa hay fed was bought for choice quality but some of it contained a few sand-burrs. Part of the hay came from Nebraska and part was purchased from a Kansas City firm. The timothy hay fed from March 26 on- was not all of the best quality, some of it being slightly mixed with red top and blue grass. GROUND GRAIN COMPARED WITH WHOLE GRAIN At the close of the test in which alfalfa was compared with timothy hay where a mixed grain ration of corn and oats was fed, it was decided to conduct a short test of six weeks in which 1911} FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES 453 Q O 5 W PH g* bc.c rt re IH " ts X l^ tO X *> K <= ^ re 5 1- ^ r-t s 3 n ro tO X IH O j2 re! ' -o OJ a - ~ rH IO rO rH "t3 S c o ro rO M C i ffi rH rH i/) t^ rO rH 3 IH * IO ON * o ^^i 1 1 1 W t~ rn" C .ro |1 ex rH rH CJ rH "rt 8 ^ iO X ON C\ JH"" O * Tj- rH rH ON * fN rH ctf . fn O X) 0) "* bc^ d co i> NO NO 10 oo 42 ro ro 1- rO >. S^ rO rO NOrO Ho rH rH rH rH d rH C-l rH l NO NO n NO id rH rH ro rH X X \O X ^fn rH rH ro rH dQ s- rt ^ rO rO NO ro _c pq be 1 rH rH fN rH a d 0) be ed o 5 -2 X X <= '^O X rH O *f t^ u V d X X i ^O 00 *^ n rH O C I- l^ *l> O poi. I9rf rH C^l ^ be V 4)1 3.5 X rH O be ' C . 2 V >> "s ^ * ; x w c 0) O ^ VERA IH >l W j-j 1: ^ tO X < <; -"^ o o ^ < s W ^ ro t^ W u ,Q 5 S rH rH rH IO ro rn Q 3 fc 3 j= T3 rO 10 00 * c/r Q o H id K i-H rH O 'O rO rH C M W ^/3 , ON rO NO X rH fc S< 5 ^ 5 i 1 1 LS vdlva BJ -C O s*il 'O X r-j ri rH rH %& CM rH '< a Q t, t X djo td X X O\ 2 ON ON ON O be >; 42 Ti- vo ON rf' O 2 ^ ^3 rH rH f s l rH Z a,* M4 W ^ H W Cfl as O OS r ," H 13 S W be o o ^ ri M rH < as w "S o V o rt cf be ni O ^ V 3 < as a s D CC pouaj rH M ro' W X rH NO rH D be ^J ^ . (d *~ n C rC 1 3 3 > ~* 1-1 -> t^ *^ 454 BULLETIN No. 150 [August, h v ^2 ri.2 K . ri * 00 VO rH VC oo rH 6 3 ON ON.O tT "3 VO O VO ro o D _Q ^3 u " -H O c 'O vo ^ ONVO o u ri ON t"" VO ro ~ w ON 00 00 * f>l rH d .- jj *" J3 O M 00 ON bo-*- 1 ri J o - N O VO vo rO ro rH rH f^ rH M vO M rH '3 "o 8VO vo vo >o r-4 rH VO l^ 1 rt t- Jo t-rt ?! 3 "3 <4H rO rO r^ro" > S^ >O ON * vo ^^ So M rH rH rH MrH "ri O 00 oo * O ON t^ VO 00 rH rH rO rH j d rh 10 ON ON ^ ri ON 00 1> X c PQ n ri tOM rt ^ "3 >> o| ri o ; rH ^d ifi S ? VO ro VO X gs 00 t^ rH pOT iaI rH M , CO I J I 3 rH 1 V 1 . -> 1 4 o) '" be ~ rt c 5 IU D "3 ^^^^ > V. - ^"ri rt 1 "" ON oo r~ ON iM ^ H *C _ oo vo vo t^ Kg 5 ^ir oo oo 1> 00 rH S 3 ON ON vo o rH -o vo O VO rO fN rH m V J-l S rt t"j o ri K o\ oo' ON 00 r-l rH rH 00 * Cl rH S v- rH M rO ON S > i^c rH rH rS rH ** *ri rH VO t> ON VO 00 ^ o 'O vf) rH IO rt . rH rH rO rH r0 < o rH VO ri eJ rH rH * ri d rH 3 rO 00 MrH o !> VO * t^- H rH rH ro rH q i t^ VO ON 00 00 S .5 PQ O M bo If ON N rH ON O ro ri Jd 0) d W rfi rH rH ON rH i-t bo ri o ri I- t>- VO O *S C rH rH ON rH rH |S t> VO rH o pOU3d rH C-l rH 1 ; oo " O be V S V~ - 5 ri ^ - z^z^ > 1911} FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES 455 ground grain would be compared with whole grain. As a pre- liminary for this test two weeks were allowed to elapse, in which Teams Nos. i, 5, 6, 8, and 10 were fed on the same kind of grain and hay. The test began on June 4 and extended to July 16. The horses in Lot i received whole grain, consisting of ear corn, whole oats and bran, while those in Lot 2 received cracked corn, ground oats, and bran the same as Lot i. Both lots of horses re- ceived one feed of alfalfa hay of from three to four pounds and two feeds of timothy hay per day. The ear corn fed was figured on a basis of shelled corn. The summary of the results of this test are given in Tables 14 and 15. It will be noticed from Tables 14 and 15 that the horses getting whole grain received 18.42 pounds per horse per day while those getting the ground grain received 17.12 pounds per horse per day. The hay fed both lots was approximately the same. The horses receiving the whole grain made a total gain of 18 pounds, and those receiving the ground grain made a total gain of 23 pounds. Considering that one ration was approximately as good as the other it will be seen tbat there was about 9 percent less grain fed where it was ground than where fed whole. Whether or not it will pay to grind grain for horses will depend much upon the con- venience and expense of grinding and also upon the amount of work performed by the horse. When the teeth of the horses are good they will do very well on whole grain but when horses are worked near their limit and it is desired to conserve all the pos- sible energy for labor there may be economy in grinding. Ground grain is slightly more digestible than whole grain and it is usually considered by best authorities that a ten percent saving in the grain can be effected by grinding, which is in harmony with the re- sults of this test tho it was too short to be conclusive. It is be- lieved that when the labor is light the saving will not be so great as when the horses are at hard labor. TABLE 16 AVERAGE DAII.Y COST OF RATIONS L,ot 1 L,ot 2 Cu x W Grain Hay Total Grain Hay Total Apr. 2 to Oct. 15, '08 . . 1 $ .182 $ .095 f .277 $ .175 $ .079 $ .254 Oct. 15 to Mar. 4, '09 . . 2 .154 .077 .231 .141 .080 .221 Mar. 27 to Aug. 14, '09 . 3 .173 .083 .256 .173 .083 .256 Aug. 14 to Jan. 1, '10. . 4 .174 .084 .258 .172 .113 .285 Jan. 1 to May 21, '10. . . 5 .174 .092 .266 .146 .111 .257 May 21 to July 16, '10. . 6 .201 .096 .297 .126 .112 .238 June 4 to July 16, '10. . 7 .202 .099 .301 .184 .100 .284 456 BrLLKTix No. 150 [August, COST OF RATIONS FED It will be noticed from Table 16, which gives the daily cost of the various rations fed, that in experiment i where clover hay was fed Lot 2, there was a saving of about two cents per horse per day over that fed Lot i, or $8.40 per horse per year. This difference is due principally to the fact that clover hay is cheaper than timothy. It will also be seen that the horses in Lot i ate slightly more feed than those in Lot 2, which in a measure ac- counts for the difference in the cost. During experiment 2 Lot i receiving- clover hay was fed at an expense of one cent more per horse per day than Lot 2 due to consuming more grain and hay. There was no difference in the cost of the rations in the third experiment as both lots of horses received the same kind of feed and practically the same quantity. It will be remembered that the clover hay fed one lot was chaffed and mingled with grain, but no account has been taken of the labor involved in its preparation. During the 4th experiment it will be noticed that where alfalfa was fed Lot 2 the ration cost about three cents more per horse per day than Lot i, which received clover. Where alfalfa and timothy were compared in experiment 5, the ration of Lot 2 receiving alfalfa was about one cent cheaper than that of Lot i. The grain part of the ration of lot 2 was about three cents cheaper than that of Lot i because of the smaller amount consumed, but alfalfa being more expensive than timothy the economy of the ration fed Lot 2 is only slight. The greatest economy in making up a ration is brought out in experiment 6. That fed Lot 2, corn and alfalfa, was six cents per day cheaper than that fed Lot i, which consisted of mixed grain ration of corn, oats, bran and oil meal, timothy and alfalfa hay. While the ration fed Lot 2 was entirely satisfactory the test was too short to determine \vhether or not such a ration would prove satisfactory for an indefinite length of time. A saving of six cents per day would mean a saving of $21.90 per horse per year. The ration fed Lot 2 in experiment 7 was two cents per horse per day cheaper than that fed Lot i. This difference may be credited to the effect of grinding, that fed Lot 2 being ground grain while that fed Lot i was whole grain. CONCLUSIONS 1. Where a mixed grain ration of corn, oats, oil meal and bran is fed, clover hay is equally as efficient if not a little superior to timothy for horses at hard work. 2. There was no observable difference in the effect of clover and timothy upon the spirit of the horses or their ability to en- FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES 457 dure hot weather. Those receiving clover had a glossier coat of hair and their bowels were looser, but not too loose to endure hard work. 3. When clover is used as a horse feed, the quality should be good and the quantity fed limited. 4. A slight saving in grain may be made by mingling it with chaffed hay, but the saving in this test did not appear to be enough to justify the expense. 5. There may be a benefit not shown in these tests, in pre- serving the horse's health, by mingling the grain with chaffed hay. The results of this test are not conclusive on this point. 6. Where the grain was ground and mingled with chaffed clover and with chaffed alfalfa, the latter proved to be a little more efficient in preventing loss in weight of horses at hard work. 7. The mingling of grain with chaffed timothy hay did not prove satisfactory. 8. Where alfalfa hay is fed as the roughage part of a ration for farm horses at hard work, less grain is necessary to prevent them from losing weight than where timothy hay is fed. In this test there was a saving of about 22 percent of grain. 9. Tho too short to be conclusive these tests indicate that mature horses at hard work can be maintained quite satisfactorily for a short time, at least, on corn fed in conjunction with alfalfa hay, and at a saving in cost. 10. A saving of about ten percent may be made by grinding the grain for farm work horses when at hard labor. 11. It requires twice as long for horses to consume ground grain fed dry, as when the same quantity is fed thoroly dampened. 12. Farm work horses at hard labor should receive from one and one-fifth to one and one-third pounds of grain, and from one to one and one-fourth pounds of hay, per 100 pounds of live weight per day, in order that their weight may be maintained. 13. Satisfactory results have been secured by feeding the grain in three equal feeds, and giving one-half the hay at night, the other half being divided between the morning and noon feeds. 14. The grain fed should be reduced one-half on idle days until four days have elapsed, or until they are again put to work, when it may be again increased if desirable. By following this method attacks of azoturia were prevented. 15. The results of the experiment indicate that the general impression is correct that horses may very properly be given a more bulky ration when idle or doing light work than when at heavy work. It is believed that the practice of permitting work horses to gorge themselves with hay is all too common. 4.S8 [August, No. 52 TEAM No. 1 No. 51 NEAR HORSE No. 59 OFF HORSE No. 60 TEAM No. 3 FKKUING FARM WORK HOKSKS 459 No. 64 No. 65 TEAM No. 4 No. 67 No. 66 TEAM No. 5 460 BUU.KTIN NO. 150 [August, No 68 No. 69 TEAM No. 6 No. 72 No. 73 TEAM No. 7 FEEDING FARM WORK HORSES 461 No 74 No. 75 TEAM No. 8 No. 76 No. 77 TEAM No. 9 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA