The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-11-20
aSritulturul.
Accommodation for Horses.

Now that Winter is approaching, we
have few words to speak in behalf OF that
noblest, and most abused Of our domestic an.
imals, the horse. That sign. which used to
hang out upon country tayerns OF the old
school, "Accommoda!ion for man and beast
was usually great fraud upon the pub
lie, at least IN the latter part of its prom
ise. The accommodation for the horse was
generally narrow stall, in an oyerstocked
stable, with hard plank aorr, and mere
apology for abcd of stiaw. Here, after q
long days work upon the road, old Dobbin
was expected to refresh his weary limbs
The thing was impncticablc in that atmos-
phere, foul with the breath OF twenty other
tired horses. and with the eiiluvia Of ammo
mia coming up from the saturated floors ;
and upon those hard planks, where the
weight OF the horse made firm pressure up
on the wearied muscles, as he lay down to
sleep. There was no chance for that relax
alton of the muscles, which is Us necessary
to the brute, as 20 man.
At home, the horse was little better OF
except that the s;abl, was not full Of horses
and he had better atmosphere to breathe.
There was the same hard bed. and the same
punscnt smell from the filthy floors. Not
one horse in hundred is properly accom-
modated in the Winter. In the Summer
when turned out to pasture, they resume
their natural habits in some measure, and
regain that health which is 80 often lost in
their Winter confinement. The benefit of
the Summer pasture, which Is universally
conceded by all who have any acquaintance
with this Treatment, l. not more owing TO
the change Of food, than TO the change Of
atmosphere and bed. The horse. in his ma
tive condition, breathes the pure air of the
prairie-. and has under his hoof continually
the soft turf. When he lies down. il is up
ON bed Of grass which yields to the pressure
Of his body, and puts every muscle at case
Now, we believe. that all the condition,
Of the pasture, can bcsupplicd to the horsc
in his stable, and that he can be kept in the
highest health and spirits, in the barn, thC
year round. We speak now Of horses upon
the farm, where green fodder is accessible
for part of the year. In the city though
their condition might 10 ameliOrated, itcan-
not be entirely remedied. Nature gives u.
the necdful hints, il we will but heed her
voice.
The horse can have as pure wholesome ail
in the barn. rs has upon the prairie, with,
out any exposure {, the keen winds and
storms that assail him IN his natural state
Barns are generally constructed without any
attention being paid to ventilation. Th'
walls are nearly tight, and not unirequently
the supply to hay is stored IN the mows ovel
the stables, 30 that all the foul odors, escap'
Ing from the lungs and bowels Of the horsC
arc absorbed by the hay, until il becomes
unfit for food. lie is compelled to breath,
over, many times, this foul air, and finds nj
relief except whon he is taken out Of tn,
stable. l. itany wonder, that horses becom,
disc.sed under this Treatment. and die prem
atureiyy
A barn should bc constructed with ven
tiiators. OF a size corresponding To the mum
Der Of animals il is designed to accommodate
50 that the air will bc changed rs East as I
is breathed. This can be done 80 that th'
animals will not be exposed to currents. ol
suffer any undue degree OF cold.
Again We can prcParea bed in the stable
quite as comfortable. as any the horse find