HORSES 249 



Care and Management of Horses. — Much skill is required 

 to care for horses in the best way. The appetite, condition 

 and spirit of the horse must be watched. Regularity should 

 be exercised in the matter of feed and water. 



The horse should be groomed and the coat kept in a 

 healthy, sleek condition. 



Examine the shoulders of working animals and protect 

 them against any suspected soreness. Such parts should 

 be bathed with water and the cause of the soreness removed. 



Some one who would recognize the defects should exam- 

 ine the teeth for sharp points and for decaying places. 

 Swollen gums may be looked for if a horse refuses to eat 

 corn. 



The feet of the horse should be carefully examined, 

 particularly if lameness is detected. The hoofs should be 

 trimmed when overgrown. The shoes should be regularly 

 changed and always suited to the kind of work to be per- 

 formed. 



Plenty of exercise must always be given to horses. The 

 amount of grain in the feed should be reduced when the 

 labor is lightened. The proper balance between the amount 

 of exercise and feed should be maintained. 



The farm horse at light work may be given 6 to 10 pounds 

 of oats and 7 to 10 pounds of hay daily. At medimn work 

 he should have 10 pounds of oats and 12 pounds of hay. 

 When doing heavy work the amount should be increased 

 to 12 or 13 pounds of oats and 12 or 13 pounds of hay 

 daily. 



Inspecting Horses. — Horses are often unsound in one or 

 more respects. They must not be considered sound if they 

 have any physical defects or blemishes. A person intending 

 to buy should always examine the animal thoroughly. 



Examining in Barn. — ^While a horse is in his stall he may 

 show some of his acquired vices. Cribbing, or biting the 

 stall, wind sucking, kicking the stall and persistent pawing 



