Nebraska advertiser., 1882-03-02
Stable Management OF Horses.

The management of horses, both old
and young, In the winter, has always
been fruitful theme of writers. The
matter has long since been definitely
settled as to these two points Young
animals must be kept growing, and
older ones must not lose condition to
any considerable extent; to get these
results they must be economically shell
tered. How 10 do this most economical
ly Is a question that each owner must
answer for himself. IL is not necessary
that we have expensive stables. A
cheap structure may be made quite as
warm as the most expensive one; the
principal object in building shelter Is
TO eoonomize labor in feeding, water
ing. cleaning and getting rid OF the re-
fuse.
In erecting any shelter, one of the
cheap mistakes Is, the ceilings are too
low. Horses and colts II startled in
variably throw up their heads, and thus
are apt TO strike and lsruise their polls,
creating serious injury. 1t is one of the
most prolific sources Of poll evil. An
other matter requiring attention is that
the managers be made roomy and high
enough. SO the hay be not wasted. and
that the feed boxes are deep and ample
in size. The flooring is quite as impor-
tant. II should be hard enough so
IL will not easily absorb moistuye,
smooth that IL may be easy for the ami
mats lying or standing. and well pro-
vided with bedding. The bedding is
really Of much more Importance than
many otherwise good farmers would
seem 10 think.
Is IL not strange that such tons upon
tons of straw and other bedding mater
ial, upon every farm, annually goes
TO waste, rotting in the air or else
burned upp Is it not strange that so
little care should be taken TO provide il
as bedding, not only for horses but all
farm animalsp Yet scarcely one farmer
In ten uses il rs Literally as it should
be. There is no more waste i'm bed
ding OF litter six inches thick, than in
one half that thickness. Yet how many
farmers think il necessary to provide
bed even three inches thickp The sat
urgtico, by the excrement of the body,
IL uo more In one case than In the other,
and even If IL were, il is well known
that straw so saturated is among the
most valuable OF the manures of the
farm. Besides, "A considerable quantity
of litter is needed in the manure pile TO
prevent undue fermentation, so that
hero again. an abundance of litter is true
economy.
To return to the question of stable
management: we prefer TO have all horse
stock. young and old, tied up in stalls.
III not worked they may be allowed
liberty in close yard, daily, for exer-
else. Yet less Of this Is required in win
ter than most people seem to imagine.
III kept in stables, without much exer-
sise, they must be carefully cleaned
1t allowed TO run about the yard in fine
weather, this grooming will not be nec-
essary. since the scurf over the skin is a
provision Of nature, in connection with
the long hair on such animals, to pro-
tect them against the vicissitudes of the
weather. Work horses, however. must
be regularly cleaned, no matter what
the amount of labor required, in muddy
and rainy weather
Let the farmer sit down In cold room
in his wet clothes, or with his feet and
limbs wet. How soon does he feel the
changer How then must a wet and
muddy horse suffer, tied in stall, with
the wind blowing in at every nook and
cornere Is ii strange that there are so
many horses suffering with rheumatism,
founder. grease, hide bound and un-
thriftiness In generalp You will be con-
ylnced that this evil is startling. The
horse Is the most delicately organized
animal on the farm. If well cared for
he is full of life and spirit. Did it ever
OCCUR to you, dear reader, that the dolt-
ash appearance of the horse is apt to be
Laid to the want of care of the masterP
Why not then spend little more time
in caring for these servants, upon whose
labor the thrift or unthrift of the whole
ttarm restsp-Prairie Farmer.