Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-23
The Care of Horses.

~ tue OF Inc Evening otdr.
In nearly everything there is a right and
| a wrong way. Which method is used in
general horse management makes a vast
difference in the behavior disposition,
| working power and appearance of the ami
| NAL. The same horse, under good or bad
| treatment may be made to appear like
different animal. An expression of pain,
the fear of abuse or the look of sullen,
hopeless despair never makes a beautiful
horse. But even such an ill-treated animal,
changed from a cruel to kind master,
may become himself so changed in his
whole style and carriage as to be scarcely
recognized. Horses invariably reflect their
masters treatment In view Of these
things and as supplementing an article in
the columns Of The Star recently on
Cruelty to Horses" the following practical
hints offered in behalf of our dumb
friends. All are suggested by the need of
them which the writer has seen in our
streets; in horses subjected to many and
needless discomfOrtS.
To any thinking person the great cruelty
of a tight checkrein-and especially the
overdraw check-would seem to be OBJ
vious as hardly to need criticism. Apart
from this, one often sees draft horses
many of them fine animals-in coal teams
or In other heavy draft work, with short
rein over the names, thus gripping their
power by preventing the throwing of the
animals weight into the collar, besides con-
filming the head and keeping a constant
pressure on the mouth that Is fretting and
wearing. And sometimes, too, the whip is
applied when the animal is already doing
all that could reasonably be asked of him.
Draft horses should not be required to trot!
Too short cheek straps in numberless
cases tell of ignorant or thoughtless har-
Messing. Brides or headstalls that are
buckled to fit a horse with a head several
inches shorter are an inexcusable cruelty,
stretching the mouth In a distressing way.
Sometimes the two sides are unevenly
buckled-which Is about equally bad-per-
hapS worse. In backing a team the driver
often does 1t by one rein only, SO twisting
the head around in a cramped position and
pulling the bit through the mouth instead
of grasping both reins in the hand just I'M
der the jaw and with firm but steady and
gentle pressure, giving the horse a fair
chance to do what is wanted of him. Jerk
ing is rarely If ever warranted. We have
seen horses drawing a heavily loaded team
up hill while the driver was at the same
time pulling hard on the reins and whipping
the horses! The philosophy of such man
agement we fail to see. or all wearing and
disheartenfng things to man or beast what
is worse than to be urged on and held back
at the same time! In nearly every case
where the whip is used feed of oats would
be much more to the point. A good horse
man has very little need for a whip. 1t is
usually the resort and badge of ignorance
as we'll as of cruelty, by which horses are
made lazy, balky fretful, vicious, nervous
discouraged or unsafe land then whipped
more because they are sol, besides being
physically injured in various ways. When
horses habitually foam at the mouth carry
the head in an unnatural position or open
the mouth on a Slight pressure from the bit,
it would be we'll to see If there is something
wrong with the bit mouth or teeth that
ought to be corrected.
Horses that are in the habit of pointing
standing with one forward foot advanced
to relieve it Of weight, or of lifting one foot |
frequently while Standing-should have the |
feet carefully examined by competent
farrier or veterinary surgeon for trouble |
there, which may become serious If neglect |
ed-as corns, fever, thrush or other ills.
A careful driver will be continually watch |
full for the comfort and welfare of his team |
in every possible way-the ft Of the har-
ness, the oiling Of axles. quiet and gentle !
handling due consideration in loading and |
in driving; avoiding any obstacles, ruts. etc., |
that may cause a needless and wasteful ex- |
penditure of strength. Backing loaded |
wo-wheeled cart with the drivers weight |
added seems to- us very poor practice, |
and very likely to result in injury to the |
horse Careless drivers often allow one |
willing horse lido the whole work both OF |
himself and his mate. And we have seen a |
four-horse team when the two smaller |
leaders were allowed to do all the work of |
the four while the 9two large pole horses |
did none. We have also seen an extra third
horse that was provided to help teams up |
a HILL required TO dosnearly all the pulling
that should haYe been distributed between
the three. ,fIc al
Friends of thes horse. owners, drivers all
who have to do with this faithful servant,
need to think more; to realize how helpless
he is, how dependent on mankind in every
way; and it would be well If such would
think how they would feel in the
horses place. \; y =
If the few simple suggestions here offered
might be followed, the horses of today would
have added years of better sery-
ice. Cruelty, whether from viciousness ig-
norance or indiffereiice, is always folly in
horse management Sympathy and kindness
always pay.
A FRIEND OF THE HORSES.