6gS 



Reading-Course for Farmers. 



In all cases when a horse "quids" its food, when it is slobbering or 

 when it evinces pain in mastication, as shown by holding its head to one 

 side while chewing, the teeth should be carefully examined. In addition 

 to not feeding well, a horse whose teeth have unduly sharp edges is likely 

 to drive badly, to pull to one side, not to bear on the bit, or to bear on 

 too hard, to toss the head and start suddenly when a tender spot is 

 touched. 



Temperature of the 

 stable 



The temperature in 

 the horse stable will 

 vary according to con- 

 ditions. The horse is 

 thought to be a native 

 of the North and can 

 endure almost any tem- 

 perature so long as the 

 stable is dry and free 

 from drafts of air. 

 There is one thing, 

 however, that must be 

 guarded against — a 

 sudden change, as tak- 

 ing a horse from a 

 stable provided with 

 artificial heat and 

 compelling him to 

 stand in a cold one. 

 This will prove fatal. 

 To take him from a 



Fig. 29. — Percheron gelding, 4 years 



2,460 potinds 



old. 



Weight, 

 one may 



cold stable and compel him to stand in an artificially heated 

 be almost as bad. 



Bedding the horse 



Bedding should always be used liberally. A horse at hard work 

 needs rest at night, and much more rest is had when the horse is given a 

 good bed. The bedding should not be permitted to become foul, as it 

 will not only lessen the comfort of the animal but promote disease as 

 well. Of bedding materials, straw leads the list, but when high in price 



