The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-07-16
Agricultural Golurlllr.
The Care of Horses.

Some persons, in their anxiety to
subdue their horses, take every oppor-
tunity to worry and beat them, g to let
the beast know who is master,'' they
say. They whip, scold and beat them
on principle. Now, who does not know
that such treatment addressed to child,
with the idea Of subduing him, would
inevitably sour his temper, and render
him disobedient and obstinate? AS
certainly will this be the case in the dis
cipline Of domestic animal. Instead
Of this, it should be our aim to let the
horse know and feel that we are friend
~ to him and desire his we'll being.
This may show itself by avoiding what
ever will tend to annoy and provoke
him, by kindness in the tone Of voice,
in the way Of handling him, by occa-
sionally fondling and stroking him, and
by various uncomfortable things which
will at once occur to those familiar with
this noble animal. He will understand
their meaning, and they will affect his
character. A horse so treated, will be
a pleasant beast to handle, he will keep
and fatten better, will be in better
health, and will do more work than one
managed differently. This should be
done from the animals earliest years,
but even if neglected while young, the
horse may thus be taught to love his
owner.
Regularity and sysiem-This will
show itself in determining the time and
amount Of feeding and working. Near.
~ all the diseases to which the horse is
subject, come from irregularity in these
respects. If he is under-fed and over
worked, the tone of his system will be-
come relaxed, and disease be likely to
get in. To if he is over-fed, and has
deficient or irregular exercise, he will
contract another set Of diseases. The
man who is regular and systematic in
his own habits Of living, is most likely
to enjoy health and long life, while he
who INDUCES in excuses of any kind is
sure to suffer from frequent and violent
attacks of illness, and end his days pre-
maturely. 1t is hardly less with mans
favorite animal, the horse.
Change Of diet, cleanliness, and good
shelter, should not be overlooked. For
the horse running at large, as in the
wild state, the diet which nature gives
him is all sufficient, but for one confn-
ed, stabbed and worked, much attention
should be given to his food. Hay and
oats are doubtless the best food, all
things considered, but even these should
have an occasional variation. Carrots,
potatoes, bran, fresh cut grass, should
be given him in their time and place.
During summer it seems only simple
justice that, when practicable, the horse
should be treated for time to that food
which is most natural to him-fresh
grass. If every stabbed, hard-working
horse could have summer vacation of
several weeks in pasture, it would
soften his dry and cracked hoofs, cor
rect his digestion, improve his wind, his
skin, and indeed renovate his entire
system. But where this indulgence
cannot be enjoyed, horse should have
frequent messes of loosening food, such
as roots, bran mashes with cut straw,
fresh grass, etc.
AS to cleanliness, both good looks
and health demand this. A horse we'll
curried will make a peck Of oats 60
mu,h further than one ungroomed,-
Good shelter saves many a horse from
taking cold when coming in from work,
and adds much to his health and daily
comfort.