Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1913-08-08
Workhorse in Harvest.
Provide Adequately Tor the
Care and Comfort Of Each
Animal.

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The season Of hot weather is at
hand, and with it comes one of the
busiest times for the farm work
horse. The corn needs cultivation.
haying time is near, and harvest time
is not very far in the future. II these
various kinds Of work and all the
odd jobs that require horse labor are
to be done efficiently and on time.
the work horse must be in good con.
dition when the work begins and
must be kept SO throughout the busy
season. A few words ON his care are
pertinent at this time.
In the first place see that each ami.
NAL is able to do full work. II there
is any condition that should receive
attention to increase working efiicien-
cy, now is the time to attend to It.
The older animals may have poor
teeth that need attention. The rush of
spring work may have caused sore
necks and shoulders. Shoes may need
resetting. A short season of rest or
a run In pasture for a week or more
will help the horse that has become
poor and more or less tired out by the
spring work.
In the second place, provide ade.
quately for the care and comfort Of
each animal. 1t is not too late to make
provision for an abundance of light
and air In the stable, If they are not
already provided. Window sashes can
be ordered later and set in place be-
fore the cold weather comes. II
screens can be placed in the windows.
or If mosquito netting is tackled over
them, many flies can be kept out OF
the stable. Screen doors will be
found an additional help. The in
crease in comfort will easily repay
any Inconvenience the screen doors
cause, when taking the horses in or
out of the stable. Keep the stalls
clean. Remove the manure daily. II
left to accumulate. it heats and adds
to the discomfort. Besides. the escap-
ing ammonia acts as an irritant to the
horses and ID Injurious to tkH bar
ness.
Water the horses before freezing
and again before going to the field.
II they are very warm and the water
is cold. allow them only few swaf-
lows, or at NEST q few quarts. After
cooling out for half an hour they may
be given a fulT drink. Whenever posi-
BE give each horse drink i'm the
middle of the forenoon and anUther
I'm the middle Of the afternoon. They
will be refreshed as much as their
driver, and there fs little danger" of
causing collie IT they are kept m0w:-
ing.
When beginning work in the morn
ing and again at. noon warm the hOrs-'
or. up slowly for the first half hour.
II the day is hot and the work very
hard, a few short rests Of a few min
utes each during the last half hour
before unhitching will be immense
AIDS to cooling them out and prspar:
ing them for TIE coming feed and
drink.
When water iS available the horses
rest and working efficiency will be
very much increased if he is sponged
Off or washed in the evening after
Ne. has cooled out Water that has
stood in the sum is slightly warm' and
thereby the danger of collie or cold il
lessened. The time consumed by this
attention in the evening will be made
up. the next lnurning by the" small
amount Of time needed for curryinE.
When this canIDt be done. by all
means sponge Oft his shoulders and
| neck with coltr water, and also wash
| the bearing surtssce of the collar.
| This does not. require much time OF
water, but goes long way toward
preventing sore neck and shoulders.
DO not eXpect the horses to give
the most anf best service of which
they are capable unless they are un'
der the eye and care of am ever com
siderate master.