The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-06-08
Care Of Horses J"
on the Farm.
BY w. II. Tomhave, Minnesota
University Farm.

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Now that farm work is in full prog
ress and all the horses on the farm
are in harness, doing their share of
farm work, We are apt to overlook
some of the things that are essential
ton. At this time of the year the
horses are apt to be soft and unac-
customed to continuous hard work;
so that they are liable to various all
ments. Soreness of the shoulders is
one of the most common troubles, and
is largely due to carelessness on the
part of the driver. Sore shoulders
started in the spring usually give
more or less trouble the whole year.
They are not only troublesome, but
painful and irritable to tho animal,
which is not able to perform the
proper amount OF work. Such horses
are a financial loss on the farm, be.
cause they require as much feed as
one that does full days work with
ease, and also require the full amount
of one mans time when driven.
1t is important that the shoulders
of the horse be cared for, from the
time spring work is begun until it
closes in the fall. One of the first
essentials is to have a collar that fits
properly to the shoulder There
should be no surplus room at the top
or at the lower portion, of the collar.
It should fit snugly to the sides, and
allow just room enough at the breast
for the hand to pass through. A loose
or large collar on the horse will have
the same effect on the horse as large
pair of shoes on man. Every horse
on the farm should have it's own col
lar, as it is impossible to expect
horse to be able to do good work while
wearing a collar that has been mould
ed to the shape of the shoulder of an
other horse.
When a new collar is purchased, it,
is good plan to put it into cold wa
ter the day before it is put on, and
leave it there to soak over night. The
collar will then be soft. and be mould
ed to the shape of the shoulder of the
horse that is to wear it. This will re-
suit in a much better fit than when
the collar is put on without such treat
ment.
All horses used for farm work
should be checked up when driven,
just enough so that they can not hang
their heads. The reason for this is,
that when the horses get little tired
they are apt to droop their heads, and
thus throw the shoulder too much for
ward and into an abnormal position.
The lower portion of the shoulder
will then bear the bulk of the draft,
and punches are formed.
The question of collar-pads is one
that should be left to the opinion of
the individual. In many cases light
pad can be used to good advantage,
and is desirable Thick pads are, as
a rule, too hot and clumsy.
Collars and sWeat-pads must always
be kept clean. To let dirt accumulate
on the collar, and leave it there to
dry and form crusts, will very soon
result in sores on the shoulders. The
collar or pad should be carefully
cleaned and looked after each day
after the team is put in the barn, or
before the harness is put on in the
morning.
The shoulders can be kept in good
condition by. brushing and currying
the horses after the team is put in the
barn in the evening. Besides curry
ing, it is we'll to wash the shoulders
with cold water. The water will
harden the muscles over the shoulders
and make them tougher. A little time
spent in this way each day will be
used to good advantage. IT,