There is a general prejudice against wheat as horse-grain, especially in its raw state. It is supposed to be poisonous; and without doubt many horses have been destroyed by it. Horses eat it very greedily, and are almost sure to eat too much, when permitted. Fermentation, colic, and death, are the consequences; but these are easily avoided. The grain seems difficult to masticate and also difficult to digest, and colic may be produced more readily by one measure of wheat than by two of oats. I have never known it used to the exclusion of oats, but it is sometimes given in quantities not exceeding four pounds per day, and that divided among five feeds. Given in this quantity and in this way, it does no harm that any other grain will not do; and it appears perfectly to supply the place of the oats which are withheld for it. For every four pounds of wheat, four pounds, or nearly four and a half, may be deducted from the ordinary allowance of oats.

Still, unless the use of good wheat renders the feeding cheaper, I do not see that it has any good property to recommend it. If a stone of wheat can be bought for less money than a stone of oats or beans, it may form a part of the grain, using it at first very sparingly, and not exceeding the quantity I mention, four pounds per day. A larger quantity may be tried on two or three horses, but as I have not seen it tried to a greater extent, I can not tell what might be the result.

Wheat slould never be given alone. Chaff, straw-chaff is best, serves to divide it, and ensures complete mastication. The wheat mixes better with the chaff when it is flattened between a pair of rollers.

Boiled Wheat

Boiled Wheat is in common use. It is boiled with beans and chaff, and generally forms the last feed, or the last but one, at night. It soon gets sour, and makes the mangers of wood very foul. No more should be boiled nor given than will be consumed before next morning. It should not be boiled to a jelly. It should always be mixed with chaff.

The Husk Of Wheat

The Husk Of Wheat is very useful, and employed in all town stables. It goes under several names, of which the principal are bran, and pollard, hen-meal, and gudgings. There are two kinds, the one much finer than the other. The coarsest is most usually termed bran; pollard is supposed to contain and to yield more nutriment; but the difference does not appear to be great.