PERSONA LITIES AT WESTFIELD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1004, 21 June 1930, Page 31

PERSONA LITIES AT WESTFIELD

PROPER MANAGEMENT OF HORSES How Clipp’-ig And Grooming Pay It is now seasonal to consider the question of clipping horses, and the* object and advantages to be obtained by carrying out this practice. Nature has provided an extra-heavy coat for the colder months of the year in tin case of animals which live under natura conditions. Rabbits’ pelts give a good example of such a provision. The domestic poultry moult, and a new growth of feathers is provided before the winter months. Horses and catth wintered out-of-doors retain the ole season’s coat right through the winter as a protection against climatic conditions, even though the new coat i growing underneath. It is only in lhr spring and curly summer that normal 17 this coat is lost. , In the case of domestic animals bein. utilised for man’s convenience the ques tion of removing the old coat by clipping is one of seasonal and district importance. The horse is man’s beast oi burden, and to obtain the best results in work the fstrmer must use all care in the feeding and general welfare o 1 the animal. In spite of the advent of motor-power on the farm, horse team? are still much in evidence, especially in the South Island, and the workinglife of the team and the results obtained will he increased considerably by the care bestowed in the management of the animals. In the North Island, where teams are not often used to the same extent, and where horse? are required for more spasmodic work, the question of clipping does not merit the same consideration. An animal only required for hacking purposes or doing a trip to the dairy factory once or twice a day is not greatly inconvenienced by an excessive coat, especially as in between tim.es it is not housed but allowed to graze. Proper Attention Improves Condition

To obtain the best results from a working team which is having constant employment, clipping and daily grooming are most important, in addition to a generous diet. Grooming, by providing a daily stimulation of the skin an;' a healthy coat, cannot be effectively carried out with heavy horses miles? the winter coat is removed. It lias been noticed repeatedly that horses improve in condition as a result of clipping and thorough daily grooming, states the Journal of Agriculture. If the coat is not clipped horses in heavy draught work sweat profusely at this season of the year, and this is often followed by a troublesome cough. The hair becomes matted with the sweat, dust, and scales from the skin. Such a condition readily leads to shoulder or saddle galls, either of which jaay upset the working ability of the team. In the case of racehorses getting fast work, the animals arc sponged down immediately and the saddle removed, and it is well known that the amount of time spent on grooming these animals is not limited; the coat is never allowed to become excessively long unless the animals are being spelled. Tlic question arises as to what area of the body should be Each farmer requires to consider whether his team can be kept fairly constantly employed. If it can be so employed it is advisable to clip the body hut leave the limbs. The long feather on the limbs is a protective covering, and from a healtli point of view it is not advisable to interfere with this. In cases where horses are not doing much carting the shoulders mav h- clipped, the line tapering back to the flank, or what is commonly spoken of as “trace-high.” The shoulders should always be clipped as a preventive of shoulder-galls. There are many points in favour of clipping, and very little can be said against the practice. Clipped animals arc capable of more sustained work, and grooming with all its beneficial results can be more effectively carried out. Horses running outside in winter are usually protected by a water-proof rug. which is sufficient covering against rain or wind if the legs are not interfered with. An extra warm lining may he inserted under the waterproof in the region of the kidney's. If horses are clipped before the cold nights anti frosts become prevalent no bad after effects should Ee experienced. It may he said in conclusion that, next to feeding, clipping and grooming arc the two most essential requirements in good horse management.