Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-04-05
Farm Horses.

|
needs to be presented to farmers somewhat
from the manner in which most
of the excellent works on the subject set 1t
forth for, while those who make special
business of horse breeding, and even those
who raise one or two colts year for sale,
are most benefited by the instructions con-
tanned in these works, they are not suited
to all the wants of a farmer who regards
the horse only as part of the outfit of his
business, or as a means of recreation-who
never sells horse, and would be glad new
er to buy one-raising such as he wants
and wearing them out in his own service.
like to think of this sort of relationship |
between farm and his family and the
horses Of the farm. Itimplies an affection !
ate fondness for the faithful animals which |
ensures their kind and considerable treat
ment, and the cultivation of an interest in |.
them, which is one ofthe best parts of the |
education of farmers children, and which |
will do more than anything else to attach
them to their homes and to an occupation
about which such interests cluster. Oxen
good natured dumb beasts though they
are-are not especially lovable, and they
always suggest the coming butcher; COWS
are better, but they are bought and sold
without much regard to anything but dol
lars and cents while the smaller animals
and the poultry usually finish their career
within q year or So A horse, on the 9TH
er hand, which has been raised on the
farm and ends his days in his breeders
possession, becomes almost member Of
the family, and may follow his fortunes for
a quarter Of century-growing up with
t h children and connecting himself
throughout their lives with their most in
teresting "reminiscences of childhood.
Taking this view of the subject, every
farmer who is a farmer not only from ne
ccssity, but from choice as well, should
eudeavor to have one or more horses that
are fully identified with his farm as home.
He should raise them himself, and should
/ never fix a price on them for dealer, nor
/ regard them so much part Of his CONNER
cial stock, as belonging to the permanent
/ fixtures Of his establishment.
Shortly after / moved into my present
neighborhood a few years ago, hired a
neighbor to break up piece Of sod for me.
His team was pair Of oxen with a horse
Oh the lead. ~ they swung into my barn
ward from side road my attention was
Immediately attracted by the horse. As
walked towards him with an interested
look, bis owner jumped down out Of the
cart and came forward with pleased air
and asked what | thought of him | eyed
him carefully over, wondering how such a
/ horse ever came to lead pair Of oxen, fol
! he seemed to be in the prime of life and
had better points than many thousand
dollar nag that / had seen in this city. Hi,
/ legs were fine and free from putting, hi.
/ ears were thin. well-shaped and active, and
the whole air OF his head was perfect
followed him into the field and watched hi,
work He stepped oiin brisk knowing
way, without any fuss, but with perfect
1,.;,o..-lir-o oatt to.si,o, his hood now
ana then, as though indignant at having
y. r-,,.. ,...., .,,.:,f o,-ar AT ,-a.ir ,,..-
,f. barls r ,,,tcbo3 him NOR. o7o.o,,
th., 7 should otherwise have done owe,
u.;r, Ii. decided attraction. and of lengtl
sounded NV neirbhor 70 oct his oDinion q
him He wa, loud in his praise and be
gan to think WAS paving theway for a larry,
price. Finally ! asked his age, and wa
referred to his mouth, when found to m,
great surprise that be was very old horse
too old for buying and selling to be though
o- However, 70 carry out the Joke, ASK
Cd. bow much Will you take for him:
There am { money enough on TINS iarn
To BUY that A'Ese-that morse am neVe
been sold aud he amt agoin. to be; m,
father raised tnat horse from colt, and b
raised hiS mother before nm. lie wa
toa-ed tWcuty-ciEat wears ago this month
and when the women folks bitches HIM u
70 so 70 town, IT'S jest all they can 10 some
: times TO hold MIN. lie was got by a run
mn. horse that buckley father over her
used TO keep and them that's got his colt
don want nothin better Accordln'
my notion, q You want blood anywhere
you want it On a farm. That old horse t
day il tend third more corn'n any othe
You can bring, an ne won't never set foC
on hill all day long. j
Only few DAYS ago. as i was riding a
brisk galIop along the road, saw tbs
same old horse grazing by the roadside. \
| drew near, he gave low whinny and
head and tail up-wheeied around and II
yited me for q run, which my rascal Wa
ready for, and had for few minutes har
work to keep him from it. Finally, til
veteran, disguised, gave a snort and trotte
: off home like a colt have seen him %
: ing through town .exerting every muse
to its utmost, but over-straining nothing
= leading two yoke of oxen before a load
1t manure. and | have seen him ploddir
" along to meeting on Sunday before a ca
II ryall full of children, with the air of
steady church goer, who considered even
> lively trot improper. In short, he is e.
Is actly the sort of a horse that every farm
should have-steady, honest, active, ehee
j., ed, ready for work week in and week OF
% as Ill Tor DUTY now as when he was Seyt
= years old' and as reliable Tor all kinds
Sc service then as now
= This is no ideal animal that have il
70 agined for the entertainment of my reader