The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-11-27
WINTERINc HORSES
ON PASTURE,

The custom OF running horses out
on pasture during the winter is the
common one on the range in most Sec
tIons of the corn belt. It is rare, how
ever, in localities such as New Eng
land where the winters are cold. The
greatest obstacle to profitable animal
husbandry in New England is the
necessity to feed and shelter live stock
during the long winter period. The
department of agriculture has found
this a constantly increasing bill OF ex-
pense at the Morgan horse farm near
Middlebury VT, and is devdsing means
to reduce ii to minimum. In 1910,
cheap barns costing $500 each were
buff in three pastures, each barn
having door in each end, and two
having a door in one side. facing
either south or east. Hay storage is
overhead and grain storage at one
end. Al hay manger runs along the
inside OF the back wall and grain
trough is outside. One or all Of the
doors are open all the time and plenty
of bedding is provided.
The yearling FLIES and the brood
mares were given these accommoda-
tions during the winter of 1910. the
brood mares being brought up to the
main stables about three weeks before
they were due to foal- The first win
ter's trial was completely satisfactory.
The horses had bed which was
roomy, always dry, and free from
drau9hts, and were free to come and
20 as they wished. No colds or coughs
were observed The horses were I'M
dotibtedly better for their winters
outing The cost OF stabling was
cut from 81 to 81 per head per month.
and the cost attendance from So to 81
per head; IL Is possible to still fur
fher reduce the latter charge BY in
creasing the number Of animals on
the pastures. The horses ate prac-
Ideally the same amount Of grain that
thew would have consumed in stable
ana somewhat more hay.
During the cRming winter, the foaIs
Of 1911 win run out. having an open
shed In en- especially well sheltered
location. The barn for the brood
mares has been enlarged and changed
into an open L-shaped shed, facing
south and east. A 1O0-ton concrete
silo has ben built inNconnection with
this shed, and silage and timothy hay
will make the ration OF the brood
mares during the winter.
The leading stallion at the farm.
General Gates. has for year been
given the run OF a tightly fenced pad
dock Of about three-fourths Of an
acre. to which he has access every
dav in winter and day and night
during spring. summer and fall In
iris time he has never worn a blanket
| ana has never been in better health
81 spirits. or more easily handled
The departments experience thus
| TAR seems to indicate that horses may
run out during the winter provided
| thav have dry bed, sheltered from
! storms and are given enough to eat
ana that the practice Will result In a
considerable saving in cost of stab
| isng and attendance.
| Secretary Wilson says that for twen-
| " Years q herd OF horses has wintered
| outdoors on his Iowa farm. He puts
the horses ON at 4 year old coming to
3. He built q shed for thensswhen he
| but them out at hrst, but found they
Would not 10 into It no matter how
severe the weather was; they pre-
| ferred to go into 4 heavily tlrlbered
ravine where they got all the shelter
4 they seemed to want Al colt Is never
taken out until he is to be sold or
broken for work. The hair of the an