. Western agriculture. ble by proper care. Overfeeding. Animals that are overfed and allowed tobecome too fat are susceptible to disorders and disease andare not able to endure hard work satisfactorily. Horses areoften given large amounts of feed just before they are com-pelled to perform hard work or go on a long journey, a prac-tice which is extremely detrimental. The stomach, beingsmall, is unduly distended, or the food is forced on into theintestines before it is acted on by the stomach juices. Theanimal body can take care of only a certain amount ofnourishing matter; anything over this am
. Western agriculture. ble by proper care. Overfeeding. Animals that are overfed and allowed tobecome too fat are susceptible to disorders and disease andare not able to endure hard work satisfactorily. Horses areoften given large amounts of feed just before they are com-pelled to perform hard work or go on a long journey, a prac-tice which is extremely detrimental. The stomach, beingsmall, is unduly distended, or the food is forced on into theintestines before it is acted on by the stomach juices. Theanimal body can take care of only a certain amount ofnourishing matter; anything over this amount must be ex-creted. The digestive organs are taxed to their utmost to 372 WESTERN AGRICULTURE digest the food and then the organs of alimentation are againtaxed to get rid of the excess. In this way the animal soonwears out and breaks down. Unnutritious, bulky, or spoiledfood overtaxes the digestive system. It is also bad to feed much to warm or tired changes of food may also bring on disorders. When. Figure 172.—Exposed horses; poor care. heavy work is stopped, feed should be lightened up con-siderably in order to prevent trouble. Poisonous Plants. Animals may get poisonous plantsor roots of such plants in pastures or in hay, often over-coming them entirely or weakening their bodies until rathersusceptible to disease. Bad or Irregular Water. Where animals are workedfrom about seven oclock in the morning until noon, in thehot sun, without being allowed a drink during this time,they often drink too much; and, if this wateris cold, it tendsto injure them. Work animals should be allowed wateronce or oftener during the half day, if possible. The personwho drives the horses usually takes a drink at intervals dur-ing the half day and he should think of the animals at thesame time. Horses would then stand more and be lessliable to digestive troubles and other diseases. Water may THE CARE OF ANIMALS 373 contain decaying animal and vegetable matter, parasites,bacter
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