Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-07-14
Horse Management.

Horse Management.
Probably there is no animal more
sagacious or more tractable and easily
taught, when quite young, than colt
Bearing this fact in mind, it should
be the aim of all those engaged in
horse-breeding, either for the general
market or for the purpose of improv-
ing certain strains of blood, to com.
mence the education, SO to speak, OF
the young foal as soon as possible
Foals cannot be accustomed to being
handled any too soon, and if taken
well in hand before they reach such
age as to make strong resistance, the
lessons impressed upon their minds
will never be forgotten, and much
future vexation and trouble will there
by be avoided. Some noted horse
men and breeders commence the edu
cation of the young foal when it is
but two or three days old. At first
sight this would seem to be carrying
things little too far; but neverthe.
less such is a fact, and we have the
written testimony of experienced
breeders, in regard to the advantage.
Gus results of so doing, even at SO
early a stage in the foal's existence
The method practiced by these breed.
ers is to commence when the foal is
two or three days old, and pass the
hand down its face, along its back
and down its legs to the hoots, hind
and fore, and thus accustom it to be-
ing handled. When it is desired 10
"halter break" the colt, the halter
should be put on it, and then it should
be led about, care being taken at the
time not to allow the colt to break
away from the person having it in
charge. AT the same time careful
ness and gentleness should be exer
cised, although it should be made to
understand that the person having il
in charge is its master.
Too much stress cannot be laid OH
the importance of attending to the
horses feet. Many valuable animal
has been allowed to become perman
emily lame through inattention in re-
gard to this matter. One great error
is that of allowing the shoes to re-
main Oh too long, the result of which
is that the hoof is injured, the leg is
strained, and consequently lameness
ensues. In the winter season espec
tally the injury resulting from allow
ing the shoe to remain on too long is
far greater than in the SUMMER
During the winter season the feet are
generally more dry and clean, where
as in the summer they are oftentimes
wet, which, in connection with mud
and heat combined, rots the hoof'
causing the shoe to fall off. 1t is an
actual fact that cases are known
where horses shoes have been nailed
on in the fall and not taken off until
the next summer, when they would
tall off in the pasture! Is it any
wonderthen that such practice seldom
fails to bring on lameness? The
time which . horses shoe should be
allowed to remain on varies in the
opinion Of various horsemen. All,
however, allow that a shoe should
not in any case remain on longer
than three months, and that often
times two months is too long. When
we look at this question in the light
that nature intended that horses
hoofs should go bare, we must admit
that great caution should be exercised
in this respect. Shoelng the horses
feet stops the wear that nature in
tended should be on their hoofs, con,
sequently the shoe binds the hoof and
causes contraction when nailed too
far to the heel or left on too long, OF
when the hoof is not sufficiently
pared down between shoeings, and
care should be taken to avoid these
thing, but it will not always do to
trust to the judgment Of the village
blacksmith.
1t is, of course, the main point with
farmers to use their horses in such a
way as will give them all the strength
and agility the animals are capable
of, and to work them all they can
stand without injuring either of these
qualities. Correct feeding is of para
mount Importance. Nature designed
the horse to roam at large, and Craze
for his living, therefore we should
aim to have his food as nearly natural
as possible. One great secret of sue
cess lies in regular feeding. Too high
or too low feeding has bad effect
1t is far better, therefore, to pursue Il
middle course in this respect. Twelve
pounds of hay, and from nine to
twelve quarts of oats, given in three
regular feeds daily, with feed of
raw potatoes once or twice week,
have been proved by experience to
produce most beneficial results. In
case horses are hard worked, light
increase in the above amount of feed
may be added without detrimcnt; but
bear in mind this fact that hay alone
is not fit feed for horses, whether
working or idle; they need grain,
with an occasional feed of roots, bran
mash, or something to keep their
bowels open. No regular rules can
be LAID down in regard to feeding,
quality, quantity, etc, as circum-
stances alter cases. A poor, half
starved horse is an animal no farmer
wants; while on the other hand, an
over-fed, pampcred beast is nearly as
valueless as regards working capac-
ity.-N. Y. World.
Two Sorts of Farmers.
That farmer is not successful, who