The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-08-24
LIVE STOCK.
CARE FOR YOUR HORSES BACK.

CARE FOR YOUR HORSES BACK
A California reader of the Outlook
sends to that periodical the following
hints which will make valuable read
ing for many farmers. The writer
says:
was interested in the suggestions In
the Outlook for a vacation trip on
horseback. OF all modes Of spending
the summer holidays, experience he's
convinced me that this is is the most
delightful. I have driven, tramped
and ridden over a good part of central
California in the summer months, but
regard my expeditions on horseback as
the most delightful of my life.
But the back of the horse must be a
matter of serious consideration on the
part of all who would travel thus. To
begin with, the right sort Of horse must
be chosen for such a trip. He should
not be too large, nor too heavy. A
short legged, good barreled animal,
short in the back, long underneath,
high on the withers, and with good feet,
is the ideal for a saddle trip. If he is
not high on the withers, the saddle
should be padded to supply the def
cheney. It cannot be remedied by put
ting a crupPer on the saddle. The
pulling OF this continuance on the
horses tail, if the saddle slips forward,
Is sure to cause the animal pain, and
make him FESTIVE. On such q trip, un-
less the hair cincha is used (and it is
greatly superior to the English girth
used in the East, the saddle should be
provided with a breastplate, as, even
with the best Of care, some horses be
come a good deal tucked up" before
the end of such a trip.
Itgoes without saying that the saddle
should fit well. On g long trip do not
be afraid to use good, thick saddle
blankets. Then, have made, and carry
with you, half q dozen saddle cloths of
linen. One Of these should be put on
next the animals back, and a freshon
used every day. If the saddle ia taken
off at noon, then a fresh linen must be
put on in the afternoon. Enoughshould
be taken along to insure having q clean
one each day, and they car be washed
at d f7rent stopping places. 1t is best
not to remove the saddle when you halt
at noon, but the girths should be loOs-
ened. A horse will never have a sore
back, unless one is an ~atrocious rider,
if the cowboy method Of treatment Is
followed. When the animal is brought
in, loose the girths so that the hand
may be passed between them and the
horse. Lift the saddle for an instant,
but do not disturb the blankets. Let
the saddle fall back into place, and
allow the horse to stand until his back,
under the saddle, has completely dried.
This will take from half to three quar-
tiers of an hour. Then take off the sad
die and blankets, and ten minutes later
take eff the linen cloth. Never put
cold water on the back Of a horse When
it is warm from the saddle. Some
horsemen do this, but it is a piece of
cruel folly. If the animals back looks
puffy, use hot lamentations and then
dry thoroughly.
have made many long trips, taking
this sort Of care of my horse, and have
never had q sore backed mount. If
you expect to go through rough coun
try, do not have your horse clipped
about the legs; and in any case the hair
under the saddle should not be clipped
within at least a month before starting
on a holiday trip. The short, clipped
hair stands up and feels very unpleas-
ant to the creature when pressed by
the saddle.
OF course, all this care means trouble,
but the additional pleasure of knowing
that your mount is comfortable, and
up to his work, amply repays it. The
horse who carries you through long,
pleasant summer days is entitled to the
best care you C N give him, and lady
loses nothing of her womanIy dignity
In going herself to the stable to see that
her faithful friend is getting the care
he needs.
SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN THE
SOUTH