Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-07-31
Keep the teams in Condition.

Keep the teams in Condition.
Nearly every farmer is now tryinp
to do the same farm work with six
horses that he did several years ago
with seven or eight. For many
years horse power has not cost as
much as it does at present. Two
things are responsible for this con-
dition, namely, short supply OF
horses aud high priced feed.
In consequence Of this it behooves
every farmer to keep his teams in
teams in such condition that he can
secure the greatest amount of SER
vice from them So far the season
has been favorable for horse flesh,
with the exception of a few weeks
of rushing work. From now on
more care is necessary to keep up
the stamina of the team.
One Of the things which adds to
the cares of the horsemen at this
time of year is the scarcity of hay.
Some mows have already given up
their last forkful, and in the next
ten days many barns will need to
depend on new hay and gras for
forage, Those who have been fore
handed will have already prepared
for this situation, by cutting down
the amount of old hay fed and in
icreasing the grain ration, at the
same time mixing in a little of the
new-mown hay which is commonly
cut about the orchard or other cor
ners. In this way the few weeks
until good well-cured hay may be
secured are passed without having
any Of the horses become reduced in
stamina. For the grain ration oats,
as all horseman agree, is unexcelled
However, most of us want to feed
some corn and a third or half of the
ration can safely consist of this
cheaper grain.
Careful watch must now be kept
for sore shoulders and other abra-
ssions caused by the harness and
other trappings Once a gall or
blister starts on the shoulder it is
almost sure to be a continual an
noyance for the rest of the summer.
A sore neck is still worse, and many
young horses especially, have de-
veloped most vicious disposition
on its account.
A careful teamster will never ne
Eglst details. There are many aoi
these to be given attention from the
time the grooming begins until the
barn is left for the evening. The
teamster should be equally as care.
full of his horses as the skilled ma.
chinist is with his engine. No horse
can start the day right unless he
has been groomed and cleaned,
especially on such parts as the har-
ness rubs. During the days work
frequent examination of the collars
and other parts of the harness will
often discover faulty fittings in time
enough to prevent the starting of a
sore or gall. The thoughtful horse
man will consider these details as
enjoyment more than labor.
Our experience in turning the
teaps out to a short-grass lot, after
they have had plenty Of time to fin
ish their evening meal, has been en-.
tirely satisfactory. Few barns are
as cool as the lotand generally much
less comfortable. Should any of the
horses be quarrelsome they may be
kept in.> Besides these advantages
there is more or less labor saved in
cleaning stables and in watering,
and it always seemed to us that q
horse came to his feed fresher in the
morning than when he had remained
inside over night.
Plenty of pure cold water is
another important item which must
not be neglected. It is one Of those
things which is so often neglected,
To get the best service from the
team they should never be worried,
and to this end horses of similar
disposition should always be put to-
gether when possible. In fact, il
the best of service is to be secured
from the team they must be made as
comfortable as possible. Ordinarily
we do not think Of the expense Of
the farm power bill yet if we were
to figure it out carefully many peo.
pie would be surprised at the mag.
nitude of this item. Homestead