The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-07-31
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Sponge Bath for Horse

Stable flies are source of keen an- noyance to work animals during the heat of summer. Every owner who has the, welfare of the dumb beasts at heart should strive to alleviate as far as possible the dscomforts 10 which the horses are exposed.
 The most logical method of abating the fly nuisance is to eliminate all breeding places, such as manure piles. The bureau of entomology advises that manure be kept in fly-tight fits or bins until such time as it can be hauled to the fields. Pits should be conveniently located so the manure can be easily thrown in at the time cleaning and so constructed that it can be readily removed. It is essen tial that flies be- prevented from reaching the manure, but, as some of them will, even though great care is exercised, it is advisable to place q flytrap on the pit.
 The coal tar sprays used in combat ing the fly evil in the dairy stable are also efficient in driving the winsed pests away from the horses. Among the best of these is a solution of 100 parts of fish oil, 50 parts of oil of tar and 1 part of crude carbolic acid. It may be prepared at home at cost Of about B cents a gallon. This spray,
 
 fly repellants containing coal-tar pro3- uots, fish oil resin and oil of tar, are best applied with an inexpensive spray pump. It is preferable tos give the horses hasty spraying each morning before they go to work. This brings best results from the use of the fly sradicator
 SPONGE BATHS AFTER WORK
 For the general comfort of the work animals when they come from the field al night it is recommended that after the harness has been removed each animal be given sponge bath with solution of cool, salt water. In case there are any work gals or shoulder sores, these injuries should be treated with white lotion, which is one of the most healing and soothing prepara- tions of it's Kind for use in warm weather. White lotion is composed of mixture of 6 drams of zinc sulphate (white vitriol. l ounce of lead acetate (sugar of lead). and 1 pint of water. It is efficient in curing wounds, sores, summer gals and fistula, and should be applied three tir<es daily for best results
 The prevalent sentiment among horsemen is that it is better to house and feed the work horse during the summer than to attempt to run the animals on grass with a scant supply of grain and hay. Grass is not desir- tble material to serve as the basis of the work-horse ration. The practice If turning work animals out on Sun- lays to eat grass to which they are lnaccustomed, Is prolific source of collie and other digestive disorders. Generally the animals would be bet ter off in a cool. darkened stable where they could be carried on half rations of grain during idleness.
 NIGHT GRAZING HARMFUL
 Where work horses which are fed a full allowance of grain are turned out to graze each night they usually are in poor condition for work next day as the extra feed they have consume. merely tends to increase the tax or their digestive capacity. However, where the stables are hot and ill-ven- tilated it is preferable to expose the horses to digestive troubles on the pastures, rather than to attempt to carry them in the barns.
 The feet of the work animals should he examined frequently during the 2 sumner. in order that accumulations of dirt may be removed. A few mo- ments devoted to scraping out the hoofs each morning and evening will add to the comfort of the beasts, as often such foreign materials as nails or stones lodge in the wall or sole of the foot or are collected in the clefts of the frog or between the bars and the frog. If the hoofs are excessively dry or brittle they shoule be softened . with some good oil or hoof ointment. and if they are ragged or tend to split they should be rasped on the edges and trimmed until smooth.
 It is advisable to clip horses when the weather warns ups in the spring and heavy work begins When clipped. they work much better, and they do not become chilled after work from having thoroughly soaked the heavy coat of winter hair with perspiraton. Horses that are clipped as soon as heavy spring work begins should bs hlanketed at night.