The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-12-31
FARM IND HOUSEHOLD.
Feeding and Grooming Horses.

Asa general rule, too much food is given,
and too large proportion of it is hay.
Ten lbs. of hay and twelve lbs. of oats con-
stitute a good days fodder for working
horse, whether the work be fast or slow.
Herbert says, "they should be fed with a
lock of hay and half pale of water the
first thing in the morning on opening the
stables; and when the stables have been
aired, cleaned and Uttered, should have,
after being thoroughly groomed, their
other half pale of water, and, if they be not
going out four OTIS. of oats: and when they
have eaten these, they may have about
four or five lbs. of hay in their racks, and
be left dark and quiet. If they be going
out early, they should have six qts. of oats
at their morning feed, and no hay. If they
be standing in the stable, and not be put
to work until afternoon, they should be
again watered, and have four DTS. more at
noon; and when they return at night,
should be cleaned, watered, fed with oats,
and have the remainder of their hay in
their racks at night. This will be found
amply sufficient to keep horses in good
working condition, when no unusual lal or
is expected of them, and neither extraor-
binary turns of speed nor feats of endur-
ance. Half a bushel of nicely washed
carrots, given a few at a time, every weel-,
will be found to improve the coat, to be
particularly beneficial to the stomach and
wind and be very grateful to the animal;
and, in weather, and in places where they
can cisily be provided, = few handfuls of
green clover, fine meadow grass, or maize
give a kindly Alternative to the
system, keep the bowels moderately oper,
and please the appetite of the animal" A
mash Of stewed bran and oats once week
is also recommended. Such mash is ex-
cellent after severe cxertion,-and in case
of unusual fatigue quart Of ale may be
added. Nitre and all drugs should be
avoided, and new corn should necer be fed.
Old corn may be used, but not more than
two-thirds as much as of oats. Never feed
within an hour of working time, and
work slowly at first to allow the bowels to
be fully evacuated. Broken-wind is caused
by too sharp work when the stomach is
distendcd by food or water; "Colic and
acute inflammation of the bowels from being
freely watered and subjected to drafts of
cold air, showers of rain, or being lnludi-
ciously bathed or washed after sharp work,
when their stomachs are empty, and them
selves craving good dressing and warm
mash.''
The harder the work, the more abundant
and nutritious should be the teed hay
should be diminished, and oats increased to
fourteen or sixteen qts., or rs much as will
be eaten. Water should never be given in
large quantity shortly before work, nor
at all when hot or very tired. At other
hours it should be supplied often and in
abundance.
Youatt recommends that, whenever pos
sible, horses should be groomed in the
open air, whenever the weather is not too
severe. 1t not only keeps the managers and
the food more clearly, but the fresh air has
valuable invigorating effect. The curry
comb should be used very lightly, SO as not
to intlct any pain; and if the brush be
soft one, it will only require a little heavier
hand to make it sufficiently effective
Even hair cloth is sufficient with very
thin-skinned horses. The head should be
dressed first and it and the ears and the roots
of the name should be made thoroughly
clean, before proceeding to the body and
legs. Every part must be thoroughly
cleansed of dust and dandrulf; and the
whole hide should be thoroughly wisped all
over with punches of dry straw, until the
coat is clean and glossy.
Herbert thus closes his chapter OH groom
ing" it requires care, deXterty, exactness
and honest application of work. 1t cannot
be procured without some expense, or
relied on without the active and intelligent
supervision of the master but without it,
no stablrs can be in order,-no horses heal
thy, happy or in condition for doing the
work for the performance Of which they
are kept
1t is not, of course, to be expected that
farmers wi keep their horses in anything |
like the condition of pleasure teams but
they should always have the ideal of good |
grooming before them, and approach it as |
nearly as their circumstances and their |
means will allow. 1t will undoubtedly pay |
for any farmer to keep his team horses
thoroughly clean from head to foot, having
them well groomcd twice day; but of /
course in a large majority of cases this |
could only be done at great sacrifice in
other respects, for, where but little labor is |
kept, other work is often of more impera-
tive consequence. In bad weather, how
ever, when other work is not pressing, the |
horses should receive extra attention. and |
especially when they come in from their
work cold, wet and muddy, should they be
made thoroughly dry and comfortable
before being fed and Uttered down.
1jusrirJn JurjrulfDpjsy