The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-19
AGRICULTURAL.
RIauEPsiuv Horses

There are many farmers who almost wholly
neglect the use of horse blankets, while on
the other hand there are many others who
seem determined to lose no opportunity to
get their horses covered with blankets. As
the truth in argument is frequently found be-
tween two extremes, it is also probable that
IN this matter an intermediate course is to be
desired. The proper uses Of horse blanket
are to promote the comfort of the horse and
prevent his taking cold. That many people
keep their horses covered in order to keep
their hair smooth ard make them look a lit
tie better than they otherwise would, the
writer does not question. But this is hardly
proper use of the blanket, and certainly is
not to be recommended.
Too much banketing is almost as bad for a
horse as too little. Nature provides cover
ing for the horse, and any interference with
its provisions shovld be iudiciously made.
When horse owners 60 to such lengths as to
shear their animals, they may as well be
allowed to blanket them, but it does not seem
as if it would promote either the health or
comfort OF horse to have his hair removed
and then be covered with blanket. If any
horse owner thinks differently, let him have
his own hair cut close to his head and wear a
hat when not work. One practical trial
of this nature will be sufficient for life time.
However. as but few farmers have their
horses sheared, it is not necessary to dwell
on this paint. The question concerning
which farmers are most interested, is whether
during the cold season ordinary farm horses
need blanketing. If the stables are boarded
as closely as they should be, it does not seem
at all necessary to blanket horse unless he
has been at work. While he is merely stand
ing in the stable he does not need blanket
any more than COW needs to be covered. II
the barn is so loosely boarded that horse
cannot keep comfortable while standing in it
the owner ought to repair his building. His
call is TO furnish boards rather than blankets.
When horse has been driven any distance,
or has got warm while at work. he should
have blanket put on, whenever and wher-
ever he stops. Even if the stop is to be but
short one, he should be covered. Many a
horse has been seriously injured by standing
few minutes in the cold after having been
driven.
When put into stable, unless both stable
and weather are quite warm, blanket
should be put on for short time, but should
not be allowed TO remain a great while.
When horse has been exposed to cold
rain, or has been out in snow storm, he
should be rubbed dry with straw or hay, and
blanket put on for an hour or two. But,
unless the horse has long been accustomed to
it, there seems TO be no possible advantage
in keeping him constantly covered with a
blanket while he is doing nothing but stand
ing in the barn.
Judgment is needed in selecting blankets
as to thickness. With toe design OF getting
the best one could fluid for a reasonable
prics, once bought very thick and heavy
blanket. have often been sorry that I
bought one SO heavy, since during much of
the time it is wholly unsuitable. In the
spring and fall when the weather is not ex-
tremely cold, and also when the horse is in a
warm stable, the blanket is very much too
thick and warm. If l put it on when the
horse is sweaty, or wet with rain or snow, he
does not dry off well. There are but very
few times in the course of year when this
heavy blanket is just right. While very
thin and light one is not desirable, yet one of
medium thickness is much better than one
which is of extra weight.-Cor. of the Guilt.
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