American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-01-01
Watering Stock in Winter.

THERE is probably no one thing essen
tial to the health and comfort of farm
stock which is so generally neglected as
that of furnishing full supply of water.
Many farmer depends entirely upon
some stream or pond a quarter or half mile
distant, to which the animals are driven
once a day over frozen slippery path, or
their thirst with a liquid slightly warmer
than ice itself. If herd of cattle could
all be thirsty at one time, and at the hour
most convenient for the farmer to drive
them to the pond, this system of watering
might answer tolerably we'll, but, un-
fortunately, animals have their individual
peculiarities in such matters as well as
human beings. No animal can thrive or
gain flesh when suffering from thirst, no
matter how much or how rich food is
given, and when kept upon dry fodder in
winter they are as likely to require water
as frequently as in summer.
Drinking places should be made easily
accessible, SO that the animals shall not
be obliged to wade through mud and ice
in order to reach them, thereby getting
their feet and legs wet and covered with
filth, to be carried back into the yards or
stables. Animals will frequently suffer
hole to get to water. Then, again, the
water should be pure and sweet or it will
be rejected until the animal is forced, by
thirst, to drink it. Cows in particular
sometimes have strange fancieS in regard
to water, often preferring that from stag
nant pool to The purest and sweetest
spring. But as rule water from a well,
spring, or cistern is better for stock in
winter than that from an open pond or
running stream which is frozen over dur
ing frosty weather. The water in the
latter is usually too cold either to suit
their taste or to be healthful. No rule
can be laid down to meet all circum-
stances in regard to the amount to be
given or the number of times animals
should be watered per day or week in
winter, but we can safely say that each
animal will, if permitted, settle this ques
ton for itself.
where each animal can help itself when
ever thirsty. Of course horses that are
worked must be excepted, for when
brought into the stables overheated by eX-
ercise it will not be safe to allow them
access to cold water, but cows, oxen and
young stock generally should never be
stinted in their supplies of water, although
we fear that this class of animals suffer
more from want of it than any other
There is far too great an inclination
among farmers to lay down certain rules
and where water is difficult to obtain
they are likely to become less strict in
their applications.
In regard to watering horses, cele-
brated author sums up the question in the
following words: ut rests only to say
that water, although it should never be
given to horse in large quantities short
ly before being put to work. or at all on
his coming off work while hot; still less
while jaded or eXhausted-should or
dinarily be furnished him often and in
abundance. Not SO much in large draughts
at time, which improperly distends the
stOn ach, as in small quantities at fire.
notwithstanding intervals If a farmer
depends upon hired labor to care for his
stock he must be ever on the alert to pre-
vent neglect, unless the laborers are of a
more faithful kind than is usually OBJ
tanned in this country. OF course we do
net suppose that the owners OF animals
are always TO be trusted in this matter for
we have known many who were fully as
anxious to do up the chores at night and
get in by the side of u good fire as any
| hired man.
| The horses may have been hard at work
during the day, and when brought in at
night they would be hastily Embarrassed,
and left with snow and mud hanging to
their legs and feet; no blankets being put
ON in the coolest weather, although the
stables were little better than open sheds.
To complete the neglect, hay would be
tossed into the rack and oats into the
trough before them, and then the farmer
| goes to the house and forgets that the
horses have had no water since morning.
Perhaps this latter requisite /" health and
comfort is offered before the animal is hall
through with his meal, and if he refuses;
! to drink under such circumstances it is
taken as proof that he is not thirsty
| hence no more is offered him until the
next day. Now, this haste in the care OF
animals is the cause of many diseases, as
| well rs general uphealtliness, shown in 4