The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-04-13
Pastures for
Horse Raising

It has become apparent to all stu
dents Of live stock breeding that GER
tain countries or districts are particu-
larly well adapted for the business Of
horse-breeding and rearing, while 9th
ers are equally well fitted for dairying,
for cattle grazing. sheep farming or
hog production. 1t would appear GER
tain that the best pastures for horses
are upon land rich in lime and other
mineral matters requisite to the per-
feet development Of strong bone Of
ivory-like texture. Where such soil
exists, and bone of the quality we have
outlined is characteristic Of its horses.
there we shall also find horses having
fine quality. large, prominent, strong
tendons and well developed, tough
hoofs. Along with such attributes Of
the horse generally go vim and vigor.
The horses have notable staying
powers" and this stamina, hardy con-
stitution or whatever 1t may be called
is as valuable, perhaps, as the other
good points noted. Wherever the land
Is low, rich In humus vegetable
matter), deficient In mineral matter
such as lime, 1t is much less likely to
produce strong bone and the other
good qualities we have alluded to In
the foregoing remarks. Such land has
given US the ponderous English Shire
horse, which comes from the Fen
countries, which are inundated by
water at certain seasons Of the year,
in some instances. or have been de-
posted In water In ancient times,
The quality of the Shire horse has
been modified by change OF environ
ment and has improved wherever a
better class of soil. containing mineral
matters In proper proportion, has been
pastured by the breeding stock and
growing colts. An authority states
that the prominence Of Ireland in
horsebreeding is connected with the
wide distribution of mountain lime
stone in that country. The dalcs OF
Yorkshire-whence come ~ Cleve-
land Bay and the YorS hire Coach
horse-intersect an enoynou field Of
the same formation, aid II is not too
much to say that soils deficient in
lime cannot produce the necessary
bone. An ideal horse pasture should
produce an abundance ofAsweet herb
age, for horses are very choice in their
grazing and are seen to closely crop
sweet herbage and entirely neglect
rank and "sour" grass. The turf
should be deep and Of soft nature.
although not Of the marshy kind, in
order to keep the growing hoofs moist
and not tend to wear them off too
quickly or break them at the toes and
quarters. Sandy and gravelly soils
arc not particularly well adapted for
formation. even although somewhat
low, usually prove suitable, and roll
ing, hilly land, with outcropping OF
limestone. Is ideal. Some people say
that the hilly land tends to strain the
hook joints and thus cause unsound-
ness. 1t is much more likely that
such pastures cause unsound or weak
joints to 60 wrong, while sound. large,
strong joints, Of the most desirable
type, stand the exercise and indeed
are improved in their development by
the strain put upon them. Low, wet.
marshy land, whern grass luxuriates
but is rank and sour, may grow extra
large horses. but they are apt to be
soft, spongy-boned and have coarse
hair. Such horses do not, perhaps,
show their weaknesses while on their
home pastures, where feet and joints
are not put to the test experienced by
horses OF the rolling countries; but
let them go TO the great cities for
use upon the hard payements, and the
faults and weaknesses crop out pain
fully and soon lead to wearing out,
unsoundness and rejection. Where
land is naturally deficient in lime,
top-dressing with lime is beneficial
especially upon cIays and reclaimed
bog-while use OF bone meal, crushed
bone and superphosphates are in favor
with those who understand something
Of the chemistry of soils and mineral
matters required in animal nutrition.
The use of artificial fertilizers is
needed most on old pastures where
there is a tendency to sourness, and
this is often indicated by the appear
ance Of MOSES among the grass
plants. Continuous use Of pastures
for horse grazing year after year leads
TO tainting that is difficult to remedy
except by cultivation of crops and re-
seeding to grass in a proper crop rota-
tion.--A. S. Alexander in Farmers
Review.