CARE OF HORSES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 165, 11 March 1864, Page 2 (Supplement)

CARE OF HORSES.

{TtVdni the American Agriculturist Some persons, of their anxiety to subdue their horses, take every opportunity to worry and beat them, “ to let the beast know who is master,” they say. They whip, scold, and beat them on principle. Now who does not know that such treatment addressed to a child, with the-idea of suduing him. would inevitably sour his temper, and render him disobedient and obstinate? As certainly will this be the case in the discipline of a domestic animal. Instead of this, it should be our ami to Jet the horse know and feel that we are friendly to him and desire his well-being. This may show itself by avoiding whatever will tend to annoy and provoke him, by kindness in the tone of voice, in the way of handling him, and by unmentionable things which will at once occur to those familiar with this noble animal. He will understand their meaning, and they will affect his character. A horse so treated will be a pleasant beast to handle, he will keep and fatten better, will be in better health, and will do more work than one managed differently. This should be done from the animal’s earliest years, but even if neglected while young, the horse may thus be taught to love his master. Regularity and System.— This will show itself in determining the time and amount of feeding and of working. Nearly all the diseases to which the horse is subject come from irregularity in these respects. If he is under-led and over-worked, the tone of his ystem will become relaxed, and disease be likely to set in. So, if lie is overfed, and lias deficient or irregular exercise, lie will contract another set of diseases. The man who is regular and systematic in his own habits of living,' is most likely to enjoy health and long life, while he who indulges in excesses of any kind is snre to suffer from frequent and violent attacks of illness and end his days prematurely. It is hardly less so with man’s favourite animal, the horse. Change of diet, cleanliness, and good shelter should not be overlooked. For the horse running at large, as in the wild state, the diet which nature gives him is all-sufficient, but for one confined, stabled, and worked, much attention should be given to bis food. Hay and oats are doubtless the best food, all things considered, but even these should have an occasional variation. Carrots, potatoes, bran, fresh-cut grass, should be given him in their place and time. During summer it seems only simple justice that, when practicable, the horse should be treated for a time to that food which is most natural to him—fresh grass. If every stabled, hard-working horse could have a summer vacation of several weeks in a pasture, it would soften and dry his cracked hoofs correct his digestion, improve his skin, and renovate his entire system. But where this indulgence cannot be enjoyed, a horse should have frequen t mashes of loosening food, such as roots, mashes with cut straw, fresh grass, &c. As to cleanliness, both good looks and health demand this. A horse well curried will make a peek of oats go much further than one ungroomed. Good shelter saves many a horse from taking cold when coming in from work,- and adds much to its health and dailv comfort.