The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-12-06
Care of Horses.

To 60 fully into this subject would require
whole volume, yet few hints may be use
full to some of cur readers. Those persons
who are constantly taking care of horses are
generally faithful and intelligent, and gene
rally manage we'll. The horse is most ne
elected by the farmer who, in the winter, has
but little for him to do, and spends but little
time-often too little-iD taking care of him.
The standing of the horse is too much me-
elected, or this subject is not judiciously
managed either by the professional groom or
the farmer. The horse is often allowed to
stand in the stable on hard floor, with his
fore feet considerable higher than his hind
ones, constantly straining bis muscles. The
floor on which horses stand should only slant
one or one and half inches in eight or nine
feet, barely enough to conduct off the liquid
manure.
Some farmers turn their horses into pen,
and let them stand as they please. This is
good arrangement, as they can move about,
and stand at ease, and by standing on the
manure, which is moist and soft to their feet,
they are much less liable to injuries in the
feet than horses that stand on hard floors
By this arrangement, horse may eat from
trough on the barn floor, 30 as to breathe
freely of pure air. But with this plan it is
necessary to level the manure frequently
where the horse stands to eat, else it will &C.
cumulate under his hind feet and give him
an uneasy position.
Horses should be curried and brushed
down daily. This is as necessary as it is
for person to wash his hands and face daily.
1t is not only necessary to comfort, but to
permanent health. Horses should have
good supply of fresh water. Farmers often
consult their own convenience in supplying
this, to the serious injury Of their horses
The animal comes home rather late in the
evening warm, and perhaps sweaty, and in
that condition he is supplied with cold water,
and as the hour for retiring for the night is
at hand, and to water the horse, as the say
ing is, after he has become cool, would be
very inconvenient. To avoid so great an
evil as giving cold water to warm horse in
winter, when his labor is over, give him wa.
ter when he is about to return, if convenient;
if not, wait till the horse has become cool,
after returning home, and turn him to the
water, or if more convenient, carry some to
the stable. If little hot water can be add
ed to the cold, he may have drink without
waiting; or moistened food may be given to
him, so that water will not be 80 necessary.
There is one thing in which many farmers
are negligent in the care of their horses
They feed their whole stock early in the
evening, and they do not go to the barn
again for the night. When the horse has
eaten his supper Of the dry fodder, he is very
thirsty, but he has no drink, and suffers for
want of it. The next morning his thirst has
abated, by an equalizing of the moisture in
the system, and he has become hungry, and
is looking for his breakfast, so he will not
drink much in the morning, though water is
offered. 1t is but little trouble to turn the
horse to water about nine o clock in the even
ing, and it should be attended to. If the
food be cut and moistened, as now practiced |
by many, it will be, in great measure, a
remedy for the evil.
When the horse is out, keep him we'll COW
cred, while standing in the cold, especially
after hard driving. or when warm, and put
blanket on him on being put into the stable
when sweating. Never wash horses legs
in cold water when he is warm, not even 10
hot weather. Cold water may be used fer
but only when the horse is
still and cool.