The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-12-11
FARM. GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Hoy. 10 Cnrc for IEOrsas.

How 20 care Tor hOTses.
Commissioner Colmqn, of the agricul-
tural bureau, was visited by Washing
ton Star reporter and questioned in
regard to the proper feeding and care of
horses. The commissioner has devoted
n great deal of care and study to the
horse. He owns large farm near st.
Louis, which for years has been mainly
devoted, under his own supervision, to
the breeding, raising, and training of
fine horses. In response TO request for
some information with regard to the
feeding and care of horses, based upon
his experience, he said that the feeding
of horses was very simple matter, the
main requisite being the best quality of
oats and hay. Damaged hay and dam
aged oats were unfit to be fed to horses,
and most of the injuries to the digestive
organs were produced by food oil bad
character. some horses require more
food than others. For horses that work,
about twelve quarts Of oats per day to
each horse, and from twelve to fifteen
pounds of hay was the proper quantity
to be led. The oats should be fed in
three equal instalments, and the main
portion of hay should be given
at night. TO horses that have
but little exercise, not more than
eight or nine quarts of oats
and about the same quantity Of hay as
above should be given. Regularity of
feeding was very desirable. Horses
should I've fed three times day at
certain hour, ard minute if possible.
They are excellent time keepers, they
know just when to expect their feed,
and if they do not get it at that time
they Lecome worried and fretted. Oats
is better grain food than corn, because
1t i, less heating aud produces more
muscle; but three or four ears OF good,
ripe corn thrown into the feed box occa-
sionaiy would he greatly relshcd by the
horses, and would be beneficial. An
occasional addition of two or three
quarts Of good wheat bran either wetted
or dry, is also relished; it furnishes
variety, and conduces to the health of
the horse. A horse to do we'll needs
daily exercise, and cannot remain in
perfect health if kept standing in the
stall day after day. Two or three hours
at least of exercise is essential to health
Horses should be given water about
half an hour before their meals. or not
until an hour has passed after they have
been fed grain. The stomach of horse
is very small, and if large quantity of
water is taken the water washes the
grain into the intostines without having
been properly digested, and. frequently
Inflammation or collie is the result.
4 good bed to sleep upon is indis-
pensable and many horses will not lie
down unless they have a soft bed to rest
upon. Thorough grooming, removing
the dust and dit and the cXha,ations of
the system from the coat of the horse is
also ind spen'abe to good health and
condition. y thorough curryng and
brushing should be given daily to every
horse il he is to be kept in the highest
health.
Kindness in the treatment Of horses is
very desirable. \ horse responds to
kind treatment and endeavors to repel
and defend himself against cruel treat
ment. Vicious horse are produced by
vicious treatment. A horse has the
same senses as a man, can he educated
to do Il great many Things, if the proper
pains is taken with him from his birth
up, and if his senses are properly APP.
pcaled to be will become kind, useful
and intelligent domestic animal. The
abuse and ill-treatment given to horses
throughout the country is very repre-
hcnetblc. and every kind hearted man
should do all that he can to bring about
a better treatment Of the most useful
animal that the Creator has conferred
upon HIM.