The Washington times., 1913-07-11
CAPITAL TRANSFERS
CAREFUL OF HORSES
Instruction of Men and Drastic
Punishment of VioIatorS Is
Cause of Good Condition.

Washington teamSters are more con-
siderate of their horses than are Inc
men of other cities, and they have
shown a marked Improvement in the
care of teams even within the last
twelve months. according to a state
ment given out by the Washington Hu-
name Society today.
Never In the history of the society in
this city have so few cases Of heat
prostration If animals been recorded
I'D to this time of the year, though
in many instances the average tempera-
ture for June and July has been higher.
Two or three years ago it was not un-
usual for ten or twelve horses TO drop
in the street in a single day, but this
year the day that saw four or five such
cases was the exception.
The improvement has been brought
about by work along two lines. the
prosecution of men who through ignor-
ance or viciousness abuse their horses,
and the instruction of considerate team
sters in the proper care of horse
In hot weather
Not the "Nags"
Contrary TO a widespread belief. 1t
is not the poor fellow with bony. un-
derfed animal that gives US the most
trouble said John B. Heap, secretary
Of the Humane Society.
Such men may be driving very ENACT
ated horses but they know the neces-
sity of conserving the animals strength.
THE prostrations often occur where
contractors are rushing their teams to
get as many loads of uirt or brick haul
ed IN a day as possible, or where trans
fer companies must rush their work in
order to get baggage aboard an outSo-
ing & train; ;,... condition :. r..,ons,,,e
for most of the prostration of horses in
June and September, wher people are
leaving home or getting back. Prostra-
tons during these months often exceeds
the July and August prostrations.
"A horse that is fed and watered
three times day and is not driven un-
duly fast will seldom be overcome by
the heat 1t is the animal which mas
constitution weakened by lack of rest
or nourishment that falls In the street.
Nine On Duty.
Nine inspectors are now on duty in
the District of Columbia for the HUI
name Society, each having the power TO
arrest offenders. Four of them drive
about in buggies. three are mounted on
bicycles, and two go on street cars or
afoot.
The society is now investigating the
charge brought against one of the large
teamins concerns of Washington that
IL feeds its horses out twice day,
sometimes working them from tWelfe
TO fourteen hours with nothing 10 eat
Secretary Heap said that If this were
found to be the case the company
would be prosecuted vigorously.
The hats made for horses and which
At down closely on the animais head
arc worse than nothing. while to put a
wet sponge In such a headpiece Is null
tipIying the chances of killing the
horse" said Mr.. Heap. The heat from
fills the hat with steam and IT literally
cooks the flesh. right where the skull
is thinnest
ANY sort of a head shade that does
not allow the air to circulate freely Is
a menace to the horse. Another in-
portant point is not to clip the name
between the horses ears. as this pro-
tects the top of his head. The Wash
ington teamsters have learned these
things and ! believe that is why We are
having so few cases this year"
Heat Prostration.
The first symptoms of equine prostra-
ton are profuse sweating. which sud
denly stops and the horse becomes per-
fectly dry.
This is followed by a fit of violent
trembling, and the horse braces him
self with his feet apart to keep from
falling.
In few moments he sinks TO the
pavement and unless given prompt at
tention. he may never get up.
The best treatment is to strip him of
every bit of harness, wash his mouth |
with cold water and put cold water or
cracked ice on his head. If possible he |
should be gotten in the shade. and il is !
much better TO leave him in the open, |
where the breeze can cool him than to |
put him in a stable.