142 LIVE STOCK MANAGEMENT. 



digestive organs so that he will become despondent and slug- 

 gish in many cases. Always allow a bull plenty of exercise, 

 because upon this factor depends, in a large measure, his 

 usefulness and activity. His feed should rather be of a con- 

 centrated nature than bulky, because some bulls have a 

 tendency to gorge themselves and become paunchy and slow, 

 poor servers. 



The feet of a bull demand more or less attention, espe- 

 cially if he is getting a liberal supply of grain. Feet should 

 be trimmed so that the animal has always the proper use of 

 himself either in walking or serving. Some bulls are as 

 easily handled as a horse, and their feet can be trimmed 

 without the slightest difficulty; however, this is rather the 

 exception than the rule. The most expedient way is to put 

 the animal in a stocks and raise it off its feet. Then by 

 strapping the foot to be trimmed solid to a beam, so that 

 the sole will be facing upward, the operation can be executed 

 with a pincers and a chisel in a few minutes. Care should 

 be taken to avoid cutting too deep or into the sensitive part 

 of the foot, as this causes bleeding and lameness in many 

 cases. Bulls' feet are often attacked with what is commonly 

 known as foot rot, thrush, foul in foot, etc. Such diseases are 

 more generally found among bulls that have been fitted for 

 show than those that are simply kept in breeding condition. 

 However, there are many bulls rendered unfit for service due 

 to faulty feet which is often brought about through lack 

 of care at the right time. If a bull becomes lame, due to 

 cracks and foreign material between his toes, his foot should 

 be cleaned out thoroughly and treated with creolin or any of 

 the coal tar dips. Such treatment is simple, yet proves very 

 efficient, providing it is applied at the very outset of a dis- 

 ease. 



In handling or working around a bull always make it a 

 point to have him tied up. Never depend on him, however 

 quiet and gentle he may seem to be. If a bull is inclined to 

 be vicious, as is often the case, do not abuse or fight with 

 him, because this invariably makes the animal worse. Keep 

 strangers away from a vicious bull as much as possible, so 

 that he will be kept quiet at all times. If a bull is a slow 

 server "*o not attempt to force him with a whip, etc., but 

 rather seek to remedy his deficiency by changing his feed 

 or dieting him. A bull is sometimes very clumsy in serving, 

 and when such is the case one should not allow him to serve 



