64 FARM ANIMALS 



ous to horses. For example the common horse 

 tail, golden rod, lupine, loco weed, larkspur, 

 rattlebox, aconite, etc. These plants can only be 

 obtained by horses in native pastures or on uncul- 

 tivated lands. They furnish argument for a 

 suitable system of rotation by which all pastures 

 are plowed and planted to some cultivated crop at 

 frequent intervals. In this way harmful weeds 

 are kept in check. In addition to the poisonous 

 plants already mentioned, mustiness of all forage 

 plants must be mentioned as dangerous to horses. 

 Musty corn, corn smut, oat smut, wheat smut and 

 rusts of these cereals are calculated to render the 

 forage in question unsuitable or even dangerous to 

 horses. 



Care of Horses. It is unfortunately true on a 

 large percentage of farms that horses receive less 

 care than other farm animals. When it is remem- 

 bered, however, that it is desirable to keep them in 

 condition for work as long as possible and at any 

 rate for a much longer period than other farm 

 animals are kept, the necessity of proper care and 

 hygienic arrangements becomes evident. Not only 

 should the forage materials be clean and of the 

 best quality as just Indicated but the water supply 

 must be pure and carefully supervised. Horses 

 are subject to a number of infectious diseases car- 

 ried in water and various forms of colic and other 

 digestive troubles may be produced by impure 

 water. If running water is used in the pasture or 

 in the stable it is necessary to have the trough con- 

 structed in such a manner that it can be easily 

 cleaned and so as to exclude filth to as great a 

 degree as possible. Box stalls may be constructed 

 of two inch by six inch stuff placed in a vertical 

 position and spaced about three inches apart. In 



