The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-03-01
THE FARMER.
From the New-England Farmer.
MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF
HORSES.
STABLES.

STABLES.
Narrow stalls are source Of great incon
venience and danger to horse when he
turns round in them. In the course of my
practice, have met with several cases OF
diseased spines or back bones from this
cause only. Injuries Of this kind are gener-
ally beyond relief, IN which account they
point out very forcibly the necessity pre-
vention.
When the horse is required to turn round
in a narrow stall, his own experience OF his
situation would teach him to move back
wards out of it, but the groom prevents him
from so doing, by standing close behind him,
and urging him, either by a Threatening tone
Of voice, or whip, 10 turn instantaneously
ia a space considerably shorter than his own
body.
Although by exerting the utmost ficxihil
ity of his frame, the animal may, perhaps,
perform this motion daily without injury, he
is, nevertheless, exposed to an accident
which may in an instant render him tor tie
future totally unserviceable.
The width of the STALL therefore, should
be at least six feet, the length nine feet
This will enable the horse to stretch out his
limbs when he is lying down, which great
relief to him when he is tatigued.
The manner in which the stall is usually
paved, is equally productive OF bad effects.
The surface is generally formed with de-
scent from the head of the stall backwards,
with a view to let the urine run off from the
litter. Thus the horse stands continually
up hill, by which position he naturally be-
canes so much fatigued, that he may be said
to have performed his work before ne is out
OF the stable. For the lgaments OF his
joints and flexor muscles of his legs, are
thereby perpetually extended. If the read
er will stand for few minutes, with his
toes higher than his heels, the pain he will
feel in the calves of his legs will soon con
vince him of the truth of this remark.-
Hence, when the horse is not eating, he al
WAYS endeavors to find his level, either BY
standing across the stall. or else as far back
as his halter will permit, SO that his hind
legs may meet the ascent of the other side
OF the channel. But the greatest mischiefs
which arise from this mode OF constructing
she pavement consist in obligng the horse
Co stand with his fore legs farther under
and out Of perpendicular direction, By
which position, he not only acquires habit
of leaning forward, but also becomes LA
ble to contraction il The heels Of bis feet
by the weight being principally on the toes
at moreover promotes an inclination Y
swelling in the hind legs as wen as bein!
frequently the cause Of his body slipping
backwards in the stall when he lies dawn
SO that being atthe utmost extent OF his hal
ter, he has not the power of rising again o.
his legs, for want of free use of his head an
neck.
The ground surface of the stall, therefore
should be perfectly level, and paved Wit
hard bricks A conductor for the urine ma
be obtained by means of drain passing fror
the centre backwards under the pavemen
49,, Af 40
should sink somewhat lewer than the othe
parts of it, and the entrance to the drain COY
cred with an iron CRATE about six inche
square
1t will be found advantageous to construc
the manger in such manner that it may +
removed by sliding into the wall, SO tn.
when the horse has eaten his grain he ma
have nothing else to bite at when the groo
is cleaning him, from which habit hers
sometimes become crib-biters.
The racks are best made of cast iron,
wooden rack slaves frequently introdul
splinters into the lips during the action
gathering the hay.
The door of the stable should be at lea
seven feet in height, which will render Il
horse less liable to strike his hsad again
the upper part of it in passing through it.
WATER.
With regard to water, horses general
prefer that which is soft and even thick al
muddy. Soft water should therefore alwa
be given to them if possible. The quaint
should be proportional to the labour whi
the animal undergoes, for ifhe sweats muc
he will consequently require more to rep;
the consumption of the fluids of his body.
It is customary in hunting stables, to wal
the water before che morse drinks it, this
a very bad practice, as it renders him |
BILE to be grpcd whenever he drinksit
any other state. 1t certainly is not pruat
20 give much cold water to horse vii
he is heated with exercise, but other
rods may be found when he may dri
it with safety. Grooms have a foolish h
it of galloping horses Immediately af
drinking: with the intention of warming
water in their stomachs. BY these unnec
sary precautions, il would appear that C
water was both unnatural and prejudicial
the animal; but it can only become so fl
his being rendered irritable and tender
the absurd modes with which he is trea
in his domesticated state.
flashing horses 4vhen 79arm in7urlon
Innkeepers and coach-masters would
it their interest to prevent the abomin;
custom of washing horses over their wi
bodies Immediately after having gone ST.