The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-12-18
CARE OF HORSES.


Of the Agricultural Bureau.
Commissioner Colman, of the Agri-
cultural Bureau, was visited by a Sar
reporter and questioned in regard to the
proper feeding and care of horses. The
Commissioner has devoted a great deal
of care and study to the horse. He owns
a 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 a request for some informa-
ton with regard to the feeding and care
of horses. based upon his experience, he
said that the feeding of horses was a
very simple matter, the main requisite
being the best quality of oats and hay.
Damaged hay and damaged oats were
unfit to be fed to horses, and most of the
injuries to the digestive organs of the
horse were produced by food of 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
three equal installments. 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 Is
above should be given. Regularity of
feeding was very desirable. Horses
should be fed three times day ut GER
tain hour, and certain minute if posi-
BILE. They are excellent time-keepers.
they know just when to expect their
feed, and if they do not get it 1T that
time they become worried and frettcd.
Oats is better grain food than corn.
because it is less heating and produces
more muscle; but three or four ears of
good. ripe corn thrown into the fecd-box
occasionally would be greatly relished
fetal. An occasional addition of two or
three quarts of good wheat bran. either
wetted or dry, is also relished; it fur
nishes variety. and conduccs to the
health of the horse. A horse to do well
needs daily exercise, and can not 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 a
horse is very small. and if large guam
tity of water is taken the water washes
the grain into the intestines without
having been properly digested. and.
fre<v Sv1Ao Snts 20
result
A good bed to sleep upon is indispen-
sable, and many horses will not lie
down unless they have soft bed to rest
upon. Thorough grooming, removing
the dust and the dirt and the exhala-
tons of the system from the coat of the
horse is also indispensable to good
health and condition. A thorough cur
rying and brushing should be given
daily to every horse, If he is to be kept
in the highest health.
Kindness in the treatment of horses |
is very desirable. A horse responds to /
kind treatment and endeavOrs to repel |
and defend himself against cruel treat |
ment. Vicious horses are produced by |
vicious treatment A horse has the !
same senses rs q man, can be edu- |
Gated to do a great many things. if the |
proper pains is taken with him from his |
birth up. and if his senses are properly |
appealcdto he will become kind. use
full and Intelligent domestic animal. |
The abuse and Entertainment given to |
horses throughout the country is very
reprehensible, and every kind-hearted /
man should do all that he can to bring
about better treatment of the most 1
useful animal that the Creator has -,on-
ferred upon man--HdshisgteH Star. |