The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-11-30

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equal to the same amount OF eXertion as
when comfortably bedded The bed should
be raised along the sides of the stall so that
when the horse lies down his back is pro-
tected from the rough wall; as the sharp
splnous process of the vertebra or spinal
column, is not covered by anything but
skiN, considerable pain is caused when
pressed against the hard wood or stone. In
the morning the dirty parts should be
forked out and dry bedding pressed tightly
under the manger Or piled in corner TO
give the floor chance to dry. At night it
should be spread evenly over the floor and
covered with new straw. Sawdust, sand.
refuse, peat, moss, and other materials are
used for bedding Whatever the material
that may be used, all the Croppings should
be daily removed and the bed kept even,
dry and comfortable.
by the term dressing or grooming is gen.
orally understood the cleaning OF the skin
which the horse requires He is never in
the highest health unless the pores are kept
free from scurf which forms on them when
ever hesweats, and the object of the curry
ing and brushing which he receives at the
hands of his groom is to get rid of this me.
chanlcal obstruction as well as to brace the
nerves OF the surface by the friction of the
brush and whisk. This dressing must be
repeated daily even if the horse has not been
sweated. The only way by which this OBJ
lect is attained is to lay on the brush whisk,
ETC., sharply. The elbow grease. 1t is not
sufficient merely to remove the mud.
When horseis turned out to grass his coat
often looks rough, yet his skin is washed by
every rain and braced up by every wind,
and he is cleaned by the waters of heaven.
This is not so when kept indoors. The horse
requires this care as much as you do your
daily bath. Nor is the horse the only one
OF your domestic animals that needs this
| care.
The importance of pure water can not be
ovclestmated; and how often do We find
horses supplied from wells located in barn
yards polluted by decomposed matter.
ibis should not be 50. Pay more attention
to the kind Of water you use in and about
your stable
so also with food. Ii possible feed
nothing but the best. Musty bay, oats,
cOrn-todder, or any other kind of musty
feed is not lit for food and should not he
used Be careful in selecting, storing and
cming your winter supply. Many diseases
III the horse and other of our farm animals
are due to these causes. CercbruSpinal
meningitis in the horse-a very fatal dis
cIac-it is due to IA mcrobe found in such
kind Of food. The feeding should he regu-
Lar and sufficient in quantity to supply
waste of the tissue. which is continually
taking place, but more so when at exercise,
violent or otherwise, and the animal in
question must therefore be treated in this
respect according to circumstances. One
thing wish to Impress strongly, and that
is Watering before feeding, and never right
after, The stomach of the horse is very
|
NAL. 1t only holds from three to three and
a-lalf gallons In feeding the horse the
food should be taken in the following order:
First, water; second, hay; third, oats; as
the water if given last, would wash the
food into the intestincss before it was acted
upon by the gastric juice, while if hay was
given after oats it would carry them along
with it, as is principally dieestcd in the
intestines, the oats being acted upon by the
stomach for the most part.
alluded to disnfectants, and we-e-r+r
never dispense with them. They are puri-
flying agents. They either neutralze or
destroy the poisonous matter We should
use them frequently, and for stall and
stable use | know of none better, consider
ing its cost thar solution of sulphate of
iron or copperas. A half-pound of this cost
ing two cents, dissolved in bucket of cold
a sprinkling can, is sufficient to purify a
whole stable il first properly cleaned out.
In order to do this subject justice, | pro-
pose to devote some OF my leisure time to
writing small pamphlet or book, taking
up one subject after another, treating it
step by step, as best understand its i'm
portance. l shall also write second part
to it, treating of all the ordinary diseases
Of farm animals, describing them in COM
mon. every day language so that the lay
man may understand it thoroughly, and
advise the best treatment that can be en-
ployed safely by the unprofessonal.
In the meantime advise to practice and
observe the measures suggested in this
humble effort, and if you do | fell conf
dent that good results will be your reward,
and that your dumb animals will apprcci
ate your kindness. THE mcrciful man is
mcrciful to his beast The Horseman.