The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-07
Winterins Horses.

There can, we think, be no question
that from all indications the demand
for good horses is going to keep up
and in spring they viii sell for at least
as much as they did last season. This
being the case it will be we'll to see
that the young stock have the best OF
care the coming winter so that when
they are ready for market they will be
in good condition. 9here is an old
foolish practice of starving colts on
some farms and where this is the Gus
tom we expect TO see the grain har-
vester "wintering" in the field where
1t finished work in harvest time and
in close proximity to the mower mired
down in the edge of the slough where
the thatch grass was cut to top out
the stacks. Now if there be one time
more than another when it pays to
feed the young colts it is in the cold
weather for not only are the colts
growing at this time of year-or ought
to be growing--but they are using
food in the production Of heat and
heavy coat. Both of these are neces-
sary for the comfort of the colt but
they do not put cash in the pocket
of the owner. II shelter will prevent
the loss of food that is expended in
the production of heat that is a saving
and there is also saving of the same
sort in having the drinking water
above the freezing point so that food
body temperature within the body of
the colt. The colt went into winter
quarters in fairly good condition but
unless he be properly sheltered the
condition will be all lost and no new
growth be made when spring comes.
Where this happens there is a loss of
the results of feeding the colt one sum
mer and the added cost Of the amount
of food he consumes to keep him alive
during the winter. If on the other hand
he be supplied with more than the
food Of maintenance during winter he
will save the flesh produced during
summer and add enough In growth to
pay for the food consumed in winter.
From this it VIII be seen that there
is a double profit in winter feeding
for it will ensure gain in growth and
at the same time prevent loss of
growth already made The feeding we
refer to is not fancy affair. 1t does
not require much time or thought Of
the farmer. 1t requires in our opinion
no great knowledge of nuritiye
ratios" and all that sort of thing; 1t
merely necesslLates the provision of an
abundance of wholesome food in a
place where there will be no exposure
to the cold spells that sap the heat Of
the body and chill the life out of the
shiverlng animal. Depend upon it that
the stomach of the well sheltered colt
is the best equipped chemical labora-
tory for the elaboration of ratios"
The Creator provided cereals for the
proper development and maintenance
of animals and If they have enough
of it there is little likelihood that they
will not mix it in profitable ratios.
The chief lacking ratio on most farms
is want of supply of suf cient va
riety of food for the colt to pick over
and fill himself on until his needs in
the way of a ratio are satisfied. He
will find all he needs if he is given a
chance to fill up on sound hay, bright
corn fodder, oats, bran, corn and car
rots, all of which need not be sup
piled at the same time. AS to the
amount he should eat Of these things
there is no question that he Will pay
a good profit on all he cleans up if
he is sheltered, kept free from lice
and worms and has not to drink ice
cold water or water that is tainted
with sewage or other filth. There is
no need of sermon on this subject for
common sense will tell any man who
stops to think that what has been said
above is correct and that the truth
of the feeding problem as regards colts
and other growing animals in winter
time is to feed them all they will
clean up Of good food of the common
farm varieties in a sheltered place
where they are kept from conditions
that would waste food in retarding
growth. If this be done the colts will
come out in spring ready to sell when
an occasion offers or to go out on grass
and continue growing at a profitable
rate.