Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-01-30
agricultural.
The Horse on the Farm.

The following, slightly corrected and
condensed, was read at the last meeting Of
the Orleans county (N. y, Farmers Club.
While the leading object was To introduce
the question and bring the subject before
the Club, the writer also aimed to present
briefly some OF his views in regard to the
horse.
The question for discussion is the horse
on the farm. This is brief question :.yet
it is very comprehensive. What about the
horse on the farm: it may be asked. and it
can be properly answered, everything.
There is no restriction, no Revolutionary
erything in regard to the choice, care, man
agement and use of the horse on the farm,
viii be in order. There is wide latitude
and abundant room to furnish useful infor-
nation in regard to the horse.
The first point may relate to the choice
of horses to use on the farm. Shall they
be large or small horses or are those of
medium size the best? May not span of
medium size be most convenient for COM
mon work, and three make an excellent
team for heavy ploughing: II this is the
case, then what are the breed or breeds
which will furnish such horses: What are
the best horses to raise on the farm. and
what should be the leading object of the
farmer in breeding horses: Should he aim
mainly to raise those most suitable for
farm work. or should he try to raise horses
for market: Can he do both to good ad-
vantage? Ifso, what breed is il: How.
where and when will ii be good policy for
farmers to raise fancy horses: VIII il pay
common farmers to raise such horses:
The general management in breeding
and raising horses may also receive attel-
ton. The use and care of the mare while
with foal, and the care and management Of
colts, should also be considered. In rear
ing and breaking the colt. the law of kind
ness should not be forgotten. The first
thing in breaking is to let the colt know
that you are its end and this cannot be
done too soon. Never allow the colt 70 get
wild, but rather teach it to be glad to see
you. When you have secured the full con-
fidence OF the colt. little breaking is need
ed; you only have TO teach the colt what it
must do. Patience and kindness will do
this easier and better than any other
course.
The colt having become work horse on
the farm, how should it be managed and
cared for now: How should it be worked.
drove, fed and taken care OF? Should not
the great law OF Kindness still have a con-
trolling influence in the management OF
the horse: II a good span, with heavy
feeding can plough two acres day. or
travel eight to ten miles an hour still may
it not be better policy to plough but one
and half acres day. or not drive faster
than six or eight miles an hour: MAY no.
horse last much longer. and do a good
deal more work, aud do it at less cost for
feed, if carefully worked or drove and
carefully managed: There are a great
many unsound horses in the country. and
il would be intere sting and instructive in
formation could we ascertain how many
became so by hard usage. Horses are
worked too hard. made to draw too hard.
or driven too hard. aud the effect sooner or
later is seen 10 some uusoundne,s. With
a little care and caution in each case. the
trouble might have been avoided. How
many horses are seen about the country
prematurely crippled and worn out for
want of more care and judgment at such
times Most horses do not DO more than
half to two-thirds the work they might ac-
..nm = ku
True, with heavy feeding, hors will do a
large amount of hard work. or fast work,
steadily for four or five years, but they
soon wear out. Stage horses do not last
half as long as farm horses; they usually
wear out in five to eight years. while farm
horses. with careful usage, may last TWEEN
~.
The most natural feed for the horse is
good pasture; the next is grass made into
hay. But it must be grass made into hay
after it is cut, not made or ripened while
standing. On such grass or hay, when
idle or at light work, a horse will keep in
fair condition. If hard or fast work is de-
sired, it will need, with such hay or grass,
suitable allowance OF grain. If kept on
dry feed moderate allowance of carrots
in addition to other feed, will be great |
help. Carrots not only promote the diges-
ton of other feed, but they also tend TO
promote the general health aud thrift of |
the animal. 1t is question whether many |
farm horses are not grained too high
whether granting high and making them
very fat in the winter, brings them into
the best condition for work through the
summer. Nature provides no grain for the
wild horse, but nature does not make that |
horse work men add grain to keep up the |
condition and strength while doing their |
hard work. Here, it seems to me is the |
key to the rule for keeping horses, to wit
sufficient grain to keep them in condition
when 1t work; but when idle. plenty Of |
pasture, or of good, early cut and well
made hay. should be all that is needed. If
the hay is not good, or was cut late, an al
lowance Of grain will be needed to make
up it, its lack Of nutriment. Horses should
always be kept in q good smooth condi-
tiou. but not over fat, and the feed should
Be guAged BY this rule.