The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-12-11
Wfntering Colts,

q MANY of the follies of our fathers have
passed away. Many persons who were
otherwise prudent and careful husband.
men, IN years past. favored giving colts
rongh treatment the first and second
winters OF their lives, to make them
hardy horses. This, however, was not
greater mistake than many of the
gross errors of the present day. Colts
need pure air and outdoor exercise for
the full Development of lung and mus
Gle. VI these it is hard to tell which is
the more important. Colts are also rash
and needless of danger. 1t is import
ant, therefore, that they have as few
chances as possible to receive injury by
projecting rail, stake, board or diiapi-
dated wire fence. Colts should not be
allowed to run loose with horses shod
behind, or to go behind shod horses in
stables. Colts are careless and reckless,
and it is therefore the interest of the
owner to be the more careful. Besides,
wound or bruise of colt detracts far
more from its value and usefulness than
a like wound on steer or heifer.
Colts should be provided with COM
Portable quarters during winter in warm
stables or sheds, with plenty of fresh
air, and light from a Southern ex-
posture. Animals, as well as the human
race, are too much kept out of the bless
ed sunshine. Sunbaths are invigorat-
ing to health and strength. All pleas
ant days the colts should have ample
lots or fields to run and range in. They
are naturally of an active disposition,
and sedentary lives dwarf body and
muscle. Oats are the best grain for colts.
There is in this grain Just what the
growing animal needs for bone, muscle
and flesh. But if the farmer has only
corn, he should provide a mixture
OF wheat bran, which contains the
phosphate needed to form the strong
bony framework of the coming horse.
Give colts the purest and best hay there
is on the farm. Musty hay and oats are
poisonous to the blood of a horse. II
any one wishes to be convinced of this
let him feed his colt or horse for
month on sweet hay and oats, and then
draw gill of blood and let it coagulate.
Then examine by the eye, a microscope
or good practical sense. Then feed the
same animal again on musty hay and
oats for q month. Draw a like guam
tity of blood, and put it through SINH
lar scrutiny, and the observer, if he has
not experimental previously, will be
astonished at the dark, muddy and i'm
pure state of the blood.
1t is great mistake to suppose that
impure food or impure water has no eff
feet on the health and life of animals, or
of the human race. The food passes
directly into the blood, and the blood,
whether pure or impure, goes to make
up the bones, muscles, flesh and fat of
the system. For this reason give your
colts pure food and pure water. Keep
their stables clean and sweet, so that as
little impurity as possible shall pass into
their lungs. Use the comb and brush
freely, SO as to keep their skins clear,
avoiding skin diseases and parasite
plaques. Carefully guard against all
contagious diseases. Keep them from
exposure to our cold storms. Be kind
to them, and they will have confidence
in you, and will be kind and easily
handled.-Iosca State Register.