Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-01-04
HORSE VESsR.


The Kind Needed, MT by the Horse
But by the CwnsF.
wonder If any pcan give {,
reasonable excuse Nsor waterina
horses as soon as they have finished
a meal or just before going out fol
a drive, says a writer in Suburban
Life. In the first place, the oats are
washed out of the stomach into the
intestinal canals, where they cannot
be digested and must be an active
arritant, and, in the second, stom,
ach full of water makes horse duh
and loggy. A little at time and
that often is a good role in watering
stock.
Did you see that warning signal
which nature threw out the other
day as you stopped your horse for
a moment? AS soon as halted one
forefoot was thrown forward because
something was wrong and there was
pain.
If you had examined the animal
you might have found some heat
about the coronet or some sensitive
ness along the muscles of the pas,
tern or about the ankle. Your
friend says "call a veterinary and
have him nerved."
A better way is to stop using for
"A few days, remove the shoes and let
the horse stand on peat moss If an
earth floor is not to be had. OF
course the grain ration must h, hg'gFe y. !
~ " redo eSdof 1life, s5fat a mashes snbsti-
Juted.
Then see II the heels have been
cut so low as to strain the muscles |
of the leg, or the toes left long to
insure more stride, or the foot is
not properly balanced. mo foot no |
horse" is an old adage.
Why not take away those cribs
and let your horse feed from the |
floor? 1t will require more time for
1t to consume meal, but that is |
surely no objection and the animals
digestion will be improved.
How about that horse which is so
ravenous for grain? Did you ever
try one Of those cribs with cups to
prevent boiling of the grain, or have
you experimental by scattering the |
oats along one side of the stall floor |
so they must be eaten slowly? Any |
device which necessitates twice the |
time usually consumed in putting |
away ration of grain will materially
aid the appearance, service and con-
dition of horse.
Do you stay with your horse while !
he is being shod? How then do you
know that he is being kindly treated?
saw good smith strike a horse
over the head the other day with his
rasp and the marks of that blow will
remain for weeks.
Many valuable animals have been |
permanently injured by such blows
given under impulse, the result of
vexatious switching of tail or strug-
Cling. No sane man will allow the
connecting hoof structure between
the wall of the foot and the frog to
be cut away simply to give more
pleasing appearance.
BY this one makes certain contrac-
ton of the heels, with all its atten-
dant permanent ills. This tissue is
the natural hoof expander, and as
such must be closely guarded.
Did you ever have your foot fitted
to shoe, or do you insist on having
shoes fitted to your feet? Why, then,
allow blacksmith to fit your horses
foot to the hot shoe by burning the
hoOf until there is equal bearing?
To be sure there may be no evil
dence of pain, but the soaring of the
hoof structure with hot iron never
will be permitted by humane man.
That the operation Injuries the foot,
makes contraction more likely and
unbalances the adjustment of parts
cannot but be admitted.
One of the most successful stage
drivers Of the old time told me years
ago that a horse would last third
longer and do better service If it's
harness fitted in every part-and I
think he was right. Take look the
next time you drive out and see If
the horse is the right distance from
the carriage to insure the minimum
of force in moving same and yet not
hit; If the collar fits, the breastplate
or holdback is not too high or low
or the saddle too far forward. A bust
ness man, or better STILL woman,
will at glance detect anything
wrong.