The Dolores star., 1924-11-28
Ability to Keep
Horses in Shape
Good Horseman Has His
Animals Ready for Call
to Work at All Times


'spAfed by tn. United State, r.r,,-,.--.
OF Agriculture ''''''''n'
A man who has the ,biIi,r
''rses IN such condition thai thar .ra
reahy for any call is a good hnrs,,,a,' .,'
says the United States Depart,,cn, -, =
Agriculture. There Is cou,nora,r,.,',
'i'ile scientific information an III
10 base conclusions relative IN ,,,,. s,.'
danentals that 20 To make nm raad
horsemanship, but there is n ,r,,,,,,,
"i experience gained through v.,r. ~,
hhndling horses that might he s,,,,.
married.. The methods which ,,a,,
horsemen have found to bn tho go
satisfactory nre therefore d-scuss.d f..
new bulletin on the care opd MON
agement Of farm work horse. fus, T.,
sued by the United States Drparrro,,,
OF Agriculture. as Farmers RuIrfIn
l419. ''''''''
Fundamental Factor.
The fundamental factor, say Tho an.
thors, Is the name In no ul,gts. al
animal huSbandry is this "muu" .I..
ment more vital than in the care Of
horses. When man has the ahlli,v
to keep horses in good condition and
ready for the call to work at nil fines
ne Is said to have Il knack with
horses. This Is often the result large
iy OF Interest and fondness for horses
and Is acquired In the natural course
OF handling them. But there are Ger
tain factors involved in the care md
management Of horses which even the
man with "knack" for horses should
have Mt his command Besides having
the ability to keep the horses in Il
thrifty condition, the man should have
the advantages of convenient stabling
facilities, pnddOcks adjoining the
stables. and suitable sheds for winter.
Ing In order to provide for the health
and comfort of the animals Feeding
must he adjusted to seasonal require
ments and thorough grooming prac-
ticed. The harness must be well fitted
and cleaned regularly to Insure salts
faction and durability, and the shoul-
ders, feet, and teeth of the nllmalS
must be well cared for,
Suggestions for the most sntlSfac-
tory results In feeding under work
terlng idle horses. preparation for
spring work, grooming and clipping,
harness fitting, preventing sore shoul-
ders, caring for the teeth are offered
in the bulletin as n guide in the best
management Of farm work horses.
Hints for Horsemen.
The bulletin concludes with par
agraph of "Hlnts for Horsemen" in
which some of the following are sug-
gested: Make bitches carefully, in
order that the pull will be at the cen
ter OF draft, and that each horse will
pull his share of the load. The strong
est horse should usually have as much
OF the load as suits his power. Do not
work slow horse and fnst horse
together. There Will be friction and
loss of power, In addition to irritation
70 both driver and horses. AT the
beginning of the days work. warm up
the horses gradually. The digestive
tract will be emptied the muscles and
Joints llmbered up. the collar Will be
made pliable, md the whole machine
will be in better condition for the
DAVIS work. Work the horse nt his
normal gait in the field. Sweating
during hot weather indicates that the
cooling system Is working fuffhe
may be serious warning. especia'ly
II the horse has ceased to sweat, ana
oyerheating may result II the horse Is
pushed Mt this time. A brief rest, II
swallow of water. or Il sponglhC oi
the mouth will often restore Norman
action and avoid serious consequences
copy OF the bulletin may be Oh
taIned free as long ms the supply lasts
nv writing to the United States ''e-
partment Of Agriculture. Washington
%. G.