Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-11-28
0Clortester Daily Spg.
WINTERING HORSES.

The care of his domestic animals is among
the first in Importance and continuity of the
winter laburS of the farmer. He must b, son
hand early and late, in the stable and stock
warehouses, sheep, swine and poultry look to
him for food and protection A considerable
portion OF the warmer season is employed in
preparing their winter sustenance-in culfivat-
ing and harvesting a supply of food against
the lnclemency ofwinter. The one is a season
OF lngathering the other, of scattering abroad :;
youthful summer boards that aged winter may
course Of lite, if wisely ordered The latter
consume, and it is thus in all the varied
season Is now upen the tarmer--the supply
gathered with so much care and labor, must
now be given out to his dependents, from day
to day, and from hour to hour, as their neces-
sites require A wise economy in the care of
stock is of the first Importance for the thrift of
the animal and its consequent profits are best
studied when its comfort is cared for by lust
attention to every want, in timely liberal, and
yet not wasteful manner. We propose to offer
hints bearing on this subject-timely hints
reminders OF the Observation-Disclosures of the
Ignorant, "but how few there are who do not
EnoW far better than they do for their stock J
ana shall commence with that usually first
brought to the barn-the horse
The horse is one of the most valuable SER
wants of the farmer His health and comfort
and consequent ability to labor, is worthy of
particular attention. Good stables, warm, but
light and well ventilated, go far to promote
this end. Proper care and cleanliness. and re-
gularlty In feeding, are also necessary. Hay
and oats are the best and most readily available
food of the horse, and are mainly depended
upon for this purpose. Other grains and fodder,
also roots and fruit, may sometimes be employ
ed to advantage. Straw, cut or chopped and
meal OF rye, corn or barley, or a mixture of
these, wet and mixed with the straw, are fire.
quently used with fair results. They furnish
a cheaper food for horses when hay is very
costly, III proportion TO grains, as is sometimes
the case. Carrots are the best roots for horse
feed, and are thought to be of great service in
promoting the health and keeping up the ap-
petite. Potatoes and turnips are sometimes
used but they should first be cooked, and then
tend to tatten rather than to strengthen a horse.
Apples are readily eaten, and those who have
given them to their horses speak favorably of
their effects.
AS steady food for the horse, hay and oats
are the best, unless particular care with other
foods is given to their feeding and manage
ment by one skilled in the business To those
who employ hay and oats, we would commend
an occasional change from oats to carrots, ap-
pies, ETC., as such will be reished by the ami
NAL, and promote his health and power to la
Dor. Instead of grain twice or three times
day, give one feeding Of them, and try some
times te9d of cut hay or straw and meals, for
animals like to change from one kind of food
to another as well as human beings. Regular
ity in the hours of labor, of feeding, and rest,
are always desirable. Plenty of pure water
should be supplied at least twice day, and it
would be of service to the horse could it be
brought to lower temperature than merely
below the freezing point. When brought i'll
fpntpa Al,
should be rubbed down and then blanketed
but we would not blanket horse in good
stable, as general rule, except in extremely
cold weather. When standing out of doors
while in harness, horses should be blanketed,
and given place sheltered from the wind, if
possible; many horses are ruined from negli-
gence in this respect
In the care of horses, few farther points
may be limited upon. A sharp-toothed curry
comb is the dread of fine-skinned horse, and
the brush and straw wisp will answer the same
purpose much better, if used as frequently as
they should be. Mud should never be suffer
ed to dry upon the legs of horse it is the
cause of half the swelled legs, scratches and
other affections ofthe feet, with which they are
afflicted. Want of air, light, and cleanliness,
poor hay and insufficient or indigestibe food
are all fruitful sources of disease-and proper
attention to these points will be of far greater
service in restoring and keeping up health and
vigor. than the one thousand and one medical
nostrums SO often relied upon Proportion the
food, in amount and character, to the nature of
the service required, and your team will not
fail you, but will keep in uniform order, and
be ready in the spring tor the steady work
then called for, and so important to the pros
perity Of the farmer.
These hints are intended to apply mainly to
working horses-to those kept upon the farm
for the ordinary purposes of the same. Colts
and horses not in use will not require the
same amount Of care, but their comfort and
thrift should receive careful attention, as their
future value depends largely upon the founda-
ton now laid.-Connhy Gentleman.