Humanity in Shoeing Horses.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2054, 5 September 1885, Page 6 (Supplement)

Humanity in Shoeing Horses.

From Mr. G. W. Gregory's interesting hroehure on " The principles and practice of shoeing," we make the following extract : — It is with much regret I feel it necessary to call Attention to the frequent needleis cruelty and inhumanity practised in the shce'ng forge, although there are a number »f exceptions in whioh the forge is conducted with kindness, and whose proprietors are totally exempt from this charge ; yet harshness is exceedingly prevalent where men display hastiness and irritability otftemper by whooping, hitting, twitching nose, and even the ear, dropping the leg suddenly, especially a stiff legged horse, either of whioh simply makes the horse more nervous or more vioious. To shoe a colt, ft nervous or a vic\ous horse, a man should stand quietly m front, or same side the head aa the farrier is working, hold the bridle (without blinkers) loosely, allow the horse to see what ia being done, without any or but little patting or talking. On no account allow any person to stand on opposite aide ; but the horse may stand by a wall. The farrier ahouli then quietly smooth down the ihoulder and fore-leg ; but if the horse be nervous, quietly withdraw, and in [a few minutes repeat this, and pick up the leg, look at and pat it down again. Do the same with bind leg, and it done with quiet firmness, you will aoon gain the confidence of the colt or hone, and feel surprised how eaay he will allow you toahoe him. A little time spent in this way will be more than saved by the quicknesa in the*exeoution of the work. If the horse be intractable, vicious, but young, put on knee-oapa and strap up one fore leg to the arm, smooth him over but not pat ; the former he is aooustomed to among other horses, but patting is entirely new and unintelligible to him ; after 'doing this leave him for five or ten minutes with one leg strapped up and with the man still mutely holding the rein, then handle him all over the body and legs ; continue this treatment until he will allow you to handle him all over quietly, when the leg may be liberated, and you will generally be able to shoe him as quietly aa any other horse. If the horse be old, vioions, and kiok out sly or suddenly, there is danger of injury to the farrier, who should then protect himself by using a side line ; that is, by securing ft atout list or rope with ft nooae around the heel of hind-leg, and pass the other end through an ordinary collar on the neck, on the same side as hind-leg scoured, draw the leg forward until the toe can just touoh the ground, then give the slaok end ft twist around the taut rope, whioh may be held in place by the man at horse's head. A fixed loop in the rope the size to fit neok may be used instead of oollar, and a hobble around hind-pastern instead of bare rope would be less likely to injure. Never uae a twitoh unless it be absolutely necessary, and then first have everything in readiness, so as to keep it on the nose an short time as possible, but on no account put a twitch on the ear ; whilst using a twitch do not jerk, ahake, or posh the head about with it, as horses are liable to be goaded on to reoklesa wildneas. The principle an.d aafest means of overcoming a nervous, irritable horae, is quiet kindness with cool firmness, and to this end one, or at most two, can invariably do more than a number of persona ; and when finished quietly smooth the horse ovtr, ao as to make frienda before parting.