474 FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



cure the lameness it is sometimes necessary to take out a portion of the- 

 nerves supplying the foot. 



Mr. Heath : What is the cause of lumps breaking out suddenly all over a 

 horse? 



Prof. Grange: This is a disease called urticaria or nettle rash, and I 

 believe is the result of derangement of the stomach or some part of the ali- 

 mentary canal. It is not dangerous and can usually be overcome by a little 

 opening medicine. We have some other diseases, though, where certain 

 parts of the external surface of the body are affected by the presence of 

 lumps, but there are so many of these skin diseases that I could hardly 

 answer the question in a general way, as the symptoms differ somewhat in 

 the individual cases. I may say though that with the other diseases the 

 lumps do not come and go as quickly as they do with nettle rash. 



Mr. King: What is the cause of spring halt, and how can it be cured? 



Prof. Grange : The immediate cause cannot always be determined, though 

 veterinarians think it is often caused by pressure upon the nerves supplying 

 the hind leg. It is incurable in many instances, though I think it may be 

 modified to a considerable degree by regular exercise and proper attention 

 to the general health of the animal. 



HORSE RAISING. 



BT MR. LEVANT STRONG- 



Read at Centreville, February 19, 1889. 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : In raising colts we have always 

 had better success where the mother has had plenty of exercise before foal- 

 ing. If you do not have work for them, turn them out in the yard during 

 the day. We usually winter our brood mares on four ears of corn, or its 

 equivalent in oats, twice a day, with straw night and morning in the stable, 

 with a few stalks during the day in the yard. We always work them in the 

 spring, commencing with part of a day at a time in a three-horse team, and 

 soon work them steadily all day. Of course a great deal of care and judg- 

 ment is necessary not to overwork, nor should we allow any one to jerk, or 

 misuse them in any way. Gentle treatment is always better with horses, 

 and with mares in foal it becomes a necessity if you would avoid injuring 

 them. They should be worked steadily up to the time of foaling if possible. 

 This is quite essential for a number of reasons. The mother is stronger and 

 is more apt to be in good physical condition. The colt also is more apt to 

 be strong and healthy, and better able to take care of himself. The mother 

 should be allowed to rest about two weeks after foaling, when if she gets 

 along nicely, she can be put at light work on the farm. When the mother 

 is at work the colt should be kept in the stable, both in the interest of the 

 mother, the colt, and the temper of the man who works the team. You 

 should be sure and have the feed-box in your stable low enough, and large 

 enough, so that the colt can eat with its mother, as the colt will learn to 

 eat grain much quicker than he would if fed alone. As soon as the colt 

 will eat oats, he should be fed a few when the mother is taken out of the 

 stable to work ; should commence by feeding him a handful, and gradually 

 increasing the quantity. 



