Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-28
farmrr' S Department.
Management of the Horse.

we spoke OF the importance oI tue rF"hih'>H
and ventilation of stables. Hardly less lmpor-
tant is the cleanliness of the horse himself
That the animal prefers neat skin TO dirty
one is manifest from his treatment of himself
when ont to pasture. by rubbing against
fences and trees and by rolling on the grass,
he keeps his hair in tOlerahle neatness it is
often more tidy and glossy than when under
the care of the groomSman. lie cannot curry
and brush himself to any amount IN tho stable
hence he is obliged to lie down in whatever
filth his untidy owner suffers to remain beneath
him.
A stabbed horse should he clcanedcvery day.
And this, not only for the sake of the neatneSS
itself. but for the benefit Of the friction to the
horses health Many stabbed horses are not
worked or exercised regularly, and they conSe
ouently need to have their skin rubbed daily in
order to open the pores, and topromote a good
circulation of the blood to the eXtremites.-
This bege:s q gentle heat and perspiration, and
produces glossy coat of hair 1t is not a
neat practice to groom horse in his STALL
Much of the dirt and dust rubbed out Of his
hair, falls back upon him or settles on the sides
of his stall and in his manger. The horse
should be taken into some open, airy place in
the barn rear the door, or even out of doors
is bitter, so that the scurf and dust may blow
away. and the horse himself enjoy the benefit
of exposure to the fresh air This is also
much neater method for the groomSman him
self
Is not the currycomb used with more Sc
verify than either needful or humane Some
kinds of dirt adhere so obstinateIy to the skin,
that this implement must be used with some
degree of harshness to remove them. But, as
general rule, it should be used lightly, es-
peclally on the legs and other tender parts of
the body Some horses, too, arc very thin
skinned and sensitive, and must be treated ac
cordingIy After the currycomb has been
gently passed over the surface, nothing is bet
ter than rubbing with large wisp of pea straw.
Rub, from one extremity of the animal 10 the
other This may be followed by the ordinary
brush or a hair-cloth When this is done. it
Is a COOL plan to give the legs good rubbing
with the hand 1t brings down swcllingS.
softens stiffneSses, and makes the legs warm
and trim.
g Egcrcie-Farm horses seldom need more
exercise than they get in the ordinary labors
of the farm. Their work is regular, and not
exhansting Like the farmer himself, they have
enough to do to promote their health, without
being at one time enervated by idIeness aud at
another overcome by excessive abors. 1t is
the horse of the mechanic, merchant, editor,
minister and lawyer, who often needs artificial
exercise Sometimes. he stands idle in his sta
BILE for days and weeks in succession and then
is worked or driven to the top Of his strength,
for the same length of time His food is often
continued the same in kind and amount whether
ut work or resting No horse can be treated
10. ir;, liz.
idle, he is quite sure to contract the scratches,
or fever, or some of the many diseases of feet
and legs BY being hard driven after idleneas,
he is quite sure to get Inflammation of the lungs
or of the feet The horse, like his master,
needs daily exercise The amount may vary,
from one hour to four, without any damage
This exercise will keep up his digestion and his
appetite preserve the health of his lungs eyes
feet, limbs, and, in short, of his whole system
Then, when circumstances require extra labor,
he can perform it with comparative ease, and
without injury to himself.
g. F0od-For the horse roaming in the pas
ture, little need be said about his food or drink
The nourishment which nature provides for him
there, is emnently natural But most horses
are confined to the stall part of the year,
and great number the year through The
great end to be aimed at in feeding a stabbed
horse is, to give him such food and in such
quantities as will keep him in good flesh and at
the same time maintain his general health. 1t
is not enough to give him nOurishing and hearty
food he must have such as will digest well
and will not favor the contraction OF any dis
ease Moreover, a working horse must be fed
differently from carrriage-hOrSe, and a trot-
ting horse or racer different from either OBJ
servation and experience will teach more on
this point than can be learned from books.
The old practice of allowing horse to stand
day and night, before q rack or manger full Of
hay, Is coming to be discarded 1t has been
found that in this way horses distcnd their
gtOmachs by over-eatng and besides, waste a
gool deal of hay by pulling it from the rack,
picking out the sweetest stalks and throwing
under their feet When hay is fed, it sholud
only be at intervals and in small quantities
1t is an excellent plan to- mosten it with water
having little salt in it, which makes it more
palatable and more wholesome. Hay is in its
best condition for fodder in about ten months
or a year. 1t has then gone through the pro-
cess of fermentation and its sweet and nutri-
tiouS properties are fully developed
Cut feed is considered by many the best form
in which hay or straw can be given to horses.
II chopped fine and mixed with grain or meal
little or nothing is wasted, aud the food is
quickly disposed of. This last item is one of
considerable Importance for hard working hOr-
ses. by limiting their food at one time-Say,
mt night, after days work-to manger fall
Of good cut-fecd and grain, as soon as this
eaten, they can lie down and rest whereas,
by the old method Of feeding grain, and rack
full of hay, much tire is spent in eating,
which should have been given to resting
There is gain of at least two hours rest
every night
Beans and peas are fed to horses, in England
more commonly than in this country When