FACTS FOR FARMERS. MANAGEMENT OF HOUSES.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 228, 25 October 1873, Page 2

FACTS FOR FARMERS. MANAGEMENT OF HOUSES.

William Douglas, late of the 10th Hussars, writes as follows :—": — " The cause which led to the sad and sudden death of Bishop Wilberforce must be my apology for troubling you with this letter, having seen it stated that the accident was probably due to the fact that of the horse not being sufficiently in hand. This, in my opinion, is, although a general, yet a very mistaken idea, for it has only been those horses ridden up to the hand that I have ever seen fall. If you tie a man's anna to his side and give him only a slight push, he will tumble down to a certainty, and as surely will any horse fall if when be stumbles his head is held up tight, by the rider attempting to keep the animal up. Just as a man finds it necessary when he stumbles to throw out his arms to keep himself from falling, a horse in the same manner, when similarly circumstanced, needs his head free to keep on his feet. It is quite a mistaken notion for any rider to imagine thai; by pulling the reins he can either lift his horse over a leap or upon his legs again after stumbling. A pull at the bit in a horse's mouth will certainly cause him to throw his head up, but that very action causes the shouldert and knees of the animal to sink. We hare onlj to watch an unmounted horse stumble, to notice how easily and natnrally he recovers his footing by precisely opposite aids to what riding-masters, as a rule, teach. A horse so circumstanced drops his brad and neck in order to relieve the sboul'lers of thoir weight, and when thus eased the animal can recover his foothold upon the ground; but put upon him a dumb-jock and fasten his head to it with a pair of reins, and I'll guarantee, if crcr he stumbles, down he must come. During an experience extending novr over 30 years, I never knew a horse to fall from a mere stumble that war ridden with a loose rein, while, on the other hand, I hard seldom seen a horso riddon, as it is termed. ' up to the bit,' who, if he tripped, forgot to tumble a« well. The only use of the bib and reins is to guide, ' halt/ or make a horte rein back, and when we pretend we can do more than that with these articles we arc simply attempting the impossible. If the rider's feet rested upon the ground, then by using them as a power the horse might bo raised a little, but not otherwise. A baker can lift his basket, but be could not do so with himself in it.

Training Heifkus. — Nothing is more agreeable to moil cows than the operation of milking, except, perhaps, eating, and a cow with a distended udder will usually prefer to be, tuilked. Nevertheless lieifers are generally nervous about it, frequently kick, and never stand still at first. Kind treatment and n gentle hand are essential. A rough mnn will be sure to make a heifer a kicker, on her right side, of course ; malt* her place her right foot back, then grasp the cord shore tho hock of the left hand and hold on. Slx^cannot lift tho lejr well, nnd will not try ; but she will \r\ to step ovor your arm with her right foot. Thii is easily n»v> "ntfd hy ra.sing the elbow, and the is absolutely foicu.l lo u.uud as she id. Meanwhile you can clean and manipulate h« r bag and teats with your right band with entire safety. When •he stands quiet you can use both hands, but be ready on

the least eutpicion of uimuaieiil tj replace the left. Tb» heifer should be tied in a stall at fir*;, and have something to eafc, perhaps, and if very wild il may be nuceßbury to be^in by handling her, rubbing, bru*bh>? r -or carding her genlly, and gradually gett,in<j her secostomect' 1 to hare her udder handled ; but all thid B'iould liare been done beforesho calrod.