11^4 Rural Scikjol Li:ai-let 



the list, although it is not particularly rich in digestible nutrients. The'-e 

 are many reasons for this po])ularity. Timothy forms the principal 

 market hay; it is difficult to adtdtcrate with other hays or weeds without 

 detection; it is relished by horses; it is free from dust. All these char- 

 acteristics commend timothy hay as a horse feed. 



Grooming 



The grooming of the horse deserves careful consideration. Nothing 

 else contributes so largely as efficient grooming to the beauty and the 

 luster of his coat. Because of this fact, the body usually receives sufficient 

 attention, but the legs receive entirely too little. If the horse's legs are 

 muddy when he arrives at the stable, they should be roughly cleaned with 

 a half- worn, common broom; the horse should be placed in the stall, 

 fed, unharnessed, groomed thoroughly, and blanketed. The legs should 

 then be given a thorough, rapid brushing. Time spent in cleaning and 

 rubbing the horse in the evening, after the day's work is done, is of much 

 greater benefit to the animal than the same amount of time thus spent 

 in the morning. 



If the horse is working in mud, it is desirable that the hair be clipped 

 from his legs; if this is done, the legs may be kept clean with much less 

 difficulty than otherwise. In c;ise the legs are clipped, it is all the more 

 important that they should be thoroughly cleaned and rubbed each 

 evening after work. The hoofs should be examined and the cleft between 

 the sole and the frog should be cleaned. Horses cared for in this manner 

 will pay for the extra care many times over by coming from the stable 

 in the morning in the best of spirit and by their increased efficiency and 

 prolonged usefulness. This will be indicated by their pleasing appearance, 

 the snap and the vigor with which they lift their feet, and the complete 

 absence of stiffness in their joints. These horses will remain compara- 

 tively free from the many diseases to which the legs and the feet are 

 subject. 



Bedding 



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

 rest at night, and much more rest is to be obtained if the horse is given 

 a good bed. The bedding should not be permitted to become foul, for 

 this will not only lessen the comfort of the animal, but will also promote 

 disease. Straw is the most satisfactory bedding material, but when 

 high in price it may be replaced by other materials, such as shavings 

 from the planing mill, rejected pieces of cornstalks, tanbark, or leaves. 

 Old straw is preferable to new, being drier and more elastic. The more 

 broken and bruised the straw is, the less bulk and elasticity it has; hence 

 a greater quantity is needed. 



