The National tribune., 1882-08-19

d. FEEDING HORSES IN BosToN.-The Amer
aco" G'tticator has carefully prepared article
on "Work-horses in Boston" from which we
condense the following, mainly with refer
ence to the modes of feeding adopted in the
different stables:
Standing first on the list are those belong
ing to the city health department They
weigh from 1,400 to 1900 pounds, and al
though they are never driven out of a walk
they cover on an average eighteen miles
with their loads, in ten hours every day in
the week, except Sunday. Cut feed, consist
Ing OF eight quarts of Indian meal and ten
pounds of hay, mixed with water and a little
salt, is given them in equal portions night
and morning; for dinner, six quarts of oats,
and in addition to this all the hay they can
eat This rule of feeding is not arbitrary.
but is varied or changed in the case of horses
which do not thrive under it. Some are fed
On oats and hay entirely, no meal being given.
All the feed is of the best quality; water is
given them three times day when they are
cool.
The largest owner of horses in Boston is the
~OPOA4N<AA1 Sl1SCS 1dl1hdy GOl1pduy, WHOSE
present stock numbers 1928 These horses
weigh from 1850 to 100 pounds, and their
average usefulness to the road is about five
or SIX years. Their rule for feeding is ninety
pounds of meal and eighty-four pounds of
hay per week, made into cut OF chop-feed
for each horse, and they eat some long hay
at night besides. An average days work is
sixteen miles. Great care is taken of the
health of these horses, they being under the
constant inspection of a veterinary surgeon
who gives his whole time to them. They
are as healthy as tits possible for them to be.
The South Boston horse railway company
buys horses of little better grade than any
Of the other companies. At present there
are 40 in their stables. The average weight
of their horses is 1,050 pounds. After many
years of close observation and experiment
as to the best method of feeding, each horse |
now receives on an average nine pounds of |
meal per day. This is fed three times |
each day, mixed with twelve pounds of |
chopped hay and the necessary quantity of |
water. No other food is given them except |
when they are "off their feed" when thew |
are given a mash made of shorts and ground |
oats. Loose hay is only fed when they are |
unable to work. The managers, which are of |
iron, are kept clean and sweet, all uneaten |
food being removed as soon as the horse has |
finished his meal, and not left to sour.
Great care is taken in watering, and in |
summer six quarts of oat meal is mixed |
with every eighty gallons of water, which is
given them in the stables. When horse |
comes in from trip warm and sweaty, he is
allowed just enough water to cool his mouth;
lie is then permitted to dry off, and finally
given all he wishes to drink Water is also
given to them in small quantities by men
who are stationed for that purpose at diff
ferent points on the route
Up to within a few years it was the
custom of this company to keep piece of
mineral salt IN each manger, and also to mix
fine salt with the feed. This created an un-
natural thirst, more water was drank than
necessary, and the result was frequent cases
Of collie. Now a small handful once week.
with a little sprinkled on the bottom and
sides of the box in which the feed is mixed,
is all that is given, and collie is no longer of
common occurrence.
For trucks and heavy teams in and about
Boston horses which weigh from / 300 to
l,4UO pounds stand the work best and those |
from Vermont, Canada, and New York.
having generally short bodies. short legs, and
better feet than western horses, are most
profitable. In feeding, from eight to twelve
quarts Of oats and corn in equal quantities.
the latter generally cracked, are given each
day with what coarse hay they will eat
Cut feed is used by some owners, but it is not ,
considered the best for the work.
Horses Of good size and quality are used
by the express companies, the Adams Com
pany having very fine stock of eighty, !
weighing from 900 to ], 400 pounds. Twelve !
quarts Of cracked corn and oats, in the pro- I
poruon Of one-ffth corn to four-fifths oats O
win plenty Of the best quality of hay, con 5
stItutes days food, which is varied twice h
week with mash of bran, oats. and cracked il
corn beddlng Of rye straw is kept in their Ii
Slalis aii tHe Ume, and IN every respect they II
are carefully attended. Rocket who was f;
purchased at three years old. has been in
constant use for twenty-five years, and is II
still one OF the finest and best looking horses si
in the stable =
Saddle-horses that are square trotters and =,
have been taught to lOpe are the most /,
there being little call for PAGERS Il
or others with broken gaits. Driving and g.
riding horses sell best at from five to nine 3.
years old. As they are often driven lon, 81.
distances at high rate of speed particular e,
must be paid TO their feed and II,
,are. Their usual food consists Of from nine "
10 twelve quarts of oats per day, fed three Il
hines, and ten pounds Of the best coarse hay re
the coaser the better fed twice. This is 81
varied with bran mash, cracked or whole II
'orn In small quantities, and other food N
which in the judgment of the stable-keeper 81
they seem to require. pl
For livery stables, horses weighing from 925 al
10 GOO pounds, with some little heavier for q
coupe and hack work. are the variety re- ql
iulred. AT Maynards stable, one of the q
Argest In the city, one-ffth whole corn is