American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-07-13
Tiie farmers department.
Watering Horses.

49, 49,
Watering Horses.
In a late number of the american
State Journal, we find the following
paragraph on the subject Of watering
horses, which, in reprinting, we beg
leave to say that there is considerable
diversity of opinion about what it adj
yises. Along the seashore, say at
Atlantic City, Cape May, &C., where
visiters are driven about in the Jer-
sey carriages, the drivers, who are
generally shrewed men in matters re-
lating to horse-fesh, are very care
ful not to water their horses over
three times day, without regard as
to how much they have driven them.
Some years ago, in taking one of our
usual drivers from Cape May con-
siderable distance into the country,
during warm day, and not finding
the horses to sweat like other horses
brought down from Philadelphia, we
inquired of the driver the cause of it.
His reply was-"People down here
in jersey do not water their horses
at every stopping-placc as you do up
in Pennsylvania. We believe that
there is nothing so injurious to dri-
wing horses as too frequent watering.
We water regularly three times day
morning noon and evening-and
find the animals to travel much freer,
with less weariness, scarcely sweat
at all, and are not nearly so liable to
colds and other diseases. Beside, no
horse needs watering oftcncr than
three times a day. Use them to it,
and they neither suffer nor look for
water until the period for watering
comes round.
This struck us at the time as very
plausible and even cogent reasoning.
This was then and we presume is now
the general opinion among the nu>
merous owners Of Jersey carriages at
the shore. We have often thought
of it since, and on several occasions
when driving with friends have refer
red to it, but we believe never in print
before the present. What say our
learned veterinary surgeons aboutit?
We shall be glad to hear from them,
The following is the paragraph in
the Stock JaUpal:
"The quantity as well as quality
of the water given horse will great
ly affect his condition. Perhaps no
animal is moro distressed by thirst
than the horse, fact not generally
known, or if known, not fully apprc-
ciated. Horses should be watercd
regularly, when not at work, as well
as when at work, provided in the lat
ter case, that care is taken not to
let him have it when oycrheated by
work. Irregularity in the supply of
water is often followed by a refusal
to partake of solid food, and more
frequently by collie and founder, in
consequence of his drinking inordi-
nately when an opportunity offers.
For horses when they are not at
work, it is perfectly safe to keep a
supply of pure water always within
their reach; but as before remarked,
there is some danger in this plan when
they are worked or driven, and are
likely to become overheatcd.
"There is a very certain way of
determining when horse has been
neglected. If the master, on enter
ing the stable, and lifting the water
bucket, finds the animal placing him
self in an attitude of expectation,
and eagerly gazing upon the vessel,
it is point blank evidence that his
usual supply ofwater has been with
held. "-Germantown Telegraph.