The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1899-10-21
HORSES IN WINTER.
They hould Have Clean Quarters,
Sweet Feed and Sufficient
Regular Exercise.

Our horses should be kept SO they will
,ot Only be in good flesh but in good
physical condition SO they will be fit
for service in the spring without any
| special preparation. The history of ma
lions has shown that dry atmosphere
is u~nfavorable to the spread of 0 Il
tagious diseases, whilst the moist OF
hot and damp atmosphere is most IA
vorable. The horse has ever produced
his highest type in a dry elevated re-
gion, where there was a pure, dry, brac-
ing atmosphere. The animals of great
/ est activity dwell in dry and elevated
regions, while sluggish animals abound
in low. marsh districts. The damp
stable favors the development of fungi.
Decomposition of litter, dung and urine
and waste of feed are all rich in nitrog-
matter which decays readily and
defiies the atmosphere. The dark,
damp stable favors all fungous growth,
while light and dryness destroy it. The
damp stable is also unfavorablc to the
healthy action of the skin and lungs.
Therefore the first requirement is a
good feed barn or stable which should
be located so as to have good drainage.
The stable Should be warm and COM
Portable, Yet should have ventilation.
The foul odors which arise from refuse
matter, where there is poor drainage
and ventilation, is one of the main
causes of diseases among horses. Even
If it does not bring on the disease. the
horse Will be in a condition 10 take
any contagious disease which NAV. be
in the neighbol hood. In connection
with the subject of ventilation, or keep
ing the atmosphere free from faint, the
stable floors play an important part.
II the farmer will arrange his stalls and
windows so that the floor will receive
the sunlight and fresh air while the
horses are out, he will add to the neat
ness of his stable. rid it of foul odors
and prolong the life and usefulness of
his teams. On such floors. where the
bedding and filth ara removed every day,
we do not find disgusting cases of thrush
and grease. Where the horse runs at
large the sunlight. fresh air. rains and
rolling, disinfect the skin and absorb
and remove the grease of the system.
When confined to the stable and at tie
service of man, the horse depends for
these Offices on the faithfulness of his
groom. The horse is not properly
groomed when the filth and sweat have
been scraped off so the neighbor or
passer-by annot see it across the field.
Still it is better for the horse for the
groom TO have this incentive than none
at all. Let it be kept in mind that the
skin needs to be regularly cleaned for
health's sake. The share which the
skin has in throwing off impurities is
generally underestimate. The skin
and lungs throw off impurities in the
relation of II to =. The blood cannot
be kept pure unless the lungs, kidneys
and skin are each in condition to re-
move the waste of the system. The
farmer who is nervous and excitable
ard always in 4 rush. never has horses
in good condition. The horse needs to
be free from all excitement when eat
ing. II needs TO he at rest and content
ed. Il does not matter SO much what
is fed so it is sweet feed and fed in suf-
ficient quantity. The horse should have
sufficient exercise at all times to keep
himina healthy and vigorous condition.
If he does 10 get exercise any other
way, he should be turned out in a lot
every day. VI. Stephenson. in Prairie
Farmer.