Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1856-10-08
Agruultural.
WATERING HORSES.

Ihe following remarks on the care OF
horses, from the Spirit Of the Times,
would save many noble animal from
premature decay, if needed by those
having charge Of them. More injury
is done by careless feeding and exposure,
than by herd driving.
The effects Of cold water vary ac-
cording to the quantity given, and accord
ing to the state Of the horse. Two or
three quarts viii not do any harm, or
at the most il will not set the coat on
end. Ii the horse is very hot, this small
quantity is very refreshing TO him, and
may be given with great safety. If the
day be very warm, and the horse kept
in gentle motion, twice or thrice as
much will do 30 harm, however warm
the horse may be. Yet none should be
given till one or two minutes after the
horse il pulled up. Let hum recover
his wind for a minute before he drinks.
A large quantity, say pailful, Of very
cold water, TO a horse at rest, not heated
by exertion, may make him shiyer, or it
may produce pain in the belly, or cramp
Of the bowels. Both shivering or cramp
may be prevented by putting the horse
in motion, brisk walk or gentle trot.
A horse much heated by exertion, which
has produced copious perspiraiion, viii
drink more than pailful and the colder.
the water the more he viii drink; if he
shiyer, founder may be expected in an
hour or two. If he same quantity be
given when the horse is getting cool, he
is almost sure 10 take cramp in the bow
els.
So far "a my experience goes, it app
pears that cold water is most dangerous,
not when the skin is at its hottest, but
when il is becoming cool aiser being
t.erm. | have seen cold wafer produce
a kind of rheumatism. The horse is
stiff all over, and on one or more of his
legs he is lame and eramped, and it is
several days before he RECEIVERS. / have
never known this happen except when
the horse had drunk freely of cold water,
and eaten grain at the time he was
much heated; and in all cases he had
been permitted TO stand at rest.
/ remember only three cases of this
kind. and it is possible the rheumatism
might not be altogether due 10 that treat
ment. ] suspect. This, however, shiv-
ering fit, founder and spasmodic collie,
are all the evils that cold water will pro-
dnce. / have never seen it produce
anv other Their treatment their symp-
toms. and results. it would be improper
to describe; but it may not be very
much out Of my province to mention
that shivering is prevented and cured
by motion and clothing; and that cramp
Of the bowels may be cured by four
ounces of sweet spirits of nilre. given in
a mint of warm milk. with about tea
spoonful of ground ginger, mustard or
pepper.
TO prevent these the water must eli
tber he warmed or it must be given
ofiener and in smaller quantity. A very
thirsty horse should never be permitted
TO take so much at one draught. A little,
q;ven at intervals of fifteen or twenty
minutes. till his thirst is quenched, will
nrevent all danger and the horse will
take less upon the whole than he would
take at first in one draught. | don't ap-
move of chilled water for constant use.
II makes the horse so tender that very
little cold water has great effect upon
him. 1t does no other harm. II need
not. however, be given as it is taken
from deep well. OF from frozen pond.
As general rule the temperature of
the water should not be much above or
much below that of the air the horse is
breathing.
The quantity of water which horse
win consume in twenty-four hours is
quite uncertain. 1t varies somuch. that
one will drink as much as other two or
three. 1t is Influenced by the food, the
work, the weather, and the number OF
i services. While getting grass or soft
food. the horse drinks less than while
his food is all dry those that eat much
fisy, need more than those that eat little
The demand increases with the perspir-
alton no ses at fast work. and kept in
no, stables. need a large allowance
which must be still larger in hot wealth