The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1915-12-22
AN APPEAL IN
BEHALF OF HORSE
Humane Society Sums Up
Winter Conditions.

making. as usual. an appeal in behalf
of the horse, summing up the situation
in this way:
The early icy days of winter never
fail to result in the loss of many horses
by falling on slippery streets Jack
Frost surprises both those in charge
of the streets and the teamsters. Judg-
ing by the society's reports from one
district alone horse owners have al
ready lost this season thousands OF
dollars in this state from this cause.
The annual loss is SO great because
of our modern pavementS that the
matter should receive more cons1dera-
ton, especially in our cities. Several
years ago three express companies IN
New York city reported that 10 per
cent of their horses had been disabled
by slippery pavements and that one
half of all their invaidism was due TO
this cause. One firm using nearly q
900 horses attributed to slippery pave
ments most of the Iameness of their
animals and a consequent, large an
nuaI depreciation in their value.
Many persons find fault with the
city authorities for having smooth
payements This does not help the
matter. The city or town cannot be
held liable for damages In general
when horses fall on the streets. 1t
has been held, however, by competent
legal authority that where certain
places on the streets are known to the
authorities to be especially dangerous
to horses, as, for instance, by reason
of a smooth and oi1-soaked pavement
on a steep grade, and reasonable pre-
cautions to prevent accident, such as
sanding, are not taken. the city is IL
able This claim seems to be reason
able Probably such cases will even
tua1Iy be tried out in the courts. In
some cities the use of sanding carts
on slippery mornings for the protec-
ton of horses, and automobiles as
well, is considered as important a ser
vice by the street department as lay
ing the dust. The cost is not large
and the service is appreciated and is
an economic investment.
On the other hand the responsibility
in~the use of slippery streets rests
in large measure with horse owners
and teamsters. No precautions taken
by a street department can free them
from it, Many accidents to horses
can be prevented by proper means "A
large proportion of teams are caught
snooth-shod on the first icy morning,
and because of the blacksmiths' ina
bility to shoe them all at once, they
go to work in that condition This
results in a large percentage of acct
dents. STeamsters are acquainted with
the various devices to meet this enaer-
gency, such as removable ca1ks, rub
Der pad shoes, chain overshoeS, etc.
Some times one sees in use homemade
overshoes Of carpet er cloth and the
exten1porfzed protection of the gunny
sack tied about the horses feet. Team
sters should be prepared for slippery
pavements in some way and use dis
erection in choosing their routes. On
icy mornings the loads should be light
er. All drivers and policemen should
be instructed in the proper method
of giving frst-aid to a fallen horse, by
holding down its head while the har-.
ness is Ioosened. and spreading a b1an-
Ixet to enable it to obtain footing
to rise. Such aid more quickly and
humanely relieves the situation.
Cold Weather Suggestions.
The society is sending out 1eafIet
giving Gold weather Suggestions for
the Treatment OF Horses as follows:
Warm the bits little on freezing
mornings.
Take the chill off the water he
drinks.
overheated.
Blanket him when he stands in the
cold.
Have his shoes sharpened when the.
streets are slippery. faf
Take no risksfof injury to him in
skating over asphalt.
On icy mornings carry some sand
Load lighter when snow blocks the
streets.
Do little shove1ing and help your
horse.
Attempt no hard pulls up steep or
slippery inclines.
Horses draw and keep their balance
better unchecked.
Give him frequent rests on snowy
roads.
Help your horse with little axle
grease.
Rub him down when, he comes in
wet.
Feed carefully and well during the
Blanket and bed him sufficiently
on cold nights.
Send for veterinarian before it is
too late.
Keep your temper and save your
horse.
These humane suggestions are made
in the interest of the horse, but. do not
forget that he is your property andsthe
value of many horses is deprecated
by their treatment in wintry weather.
Another item in the society's appeal
literature is a postal card, which reads
as follows:
Save your horses from strain on
sprain on icy pavenlents by keeping
them well sharpened making them
a present of a set of chain overshoes,
secured of any hardware dealer. From
unnecessary exposure by providing
suitable blankets, and instructing your
driver to use them. Remember, if
you give your horse a square deal, you
keep him fit for daily use in your
business; you extend his years of ser
vice; you insure yourself against loss
by injury to him or death, and you
practice human kindness to a servant
who receives no other wages.
Beautiful fur scarfs and muffs, An
CORA wool caps and scarfs, shirt
waists, silk petticoats, raincoats. and
trimmed dress hats at remarkable
money saving prices at E. H. Dillon
Zoos, 1,1G5 Main street.-Adv.