FACTORS INFLUENCING THE WORK OF THE HORSE 299 



469. Grooming. As the horse at severe labor gives off several pounds 

 of perspiration daily, when this evaporates considerable solid waste ma- 

 terial is left on the animal's coat. Thoro and careful grooming is neces- 

 sary to remove such body waste and keep the pores open and the skin 

 healthy. Aside from the better appearance which results, proper groom- 

 ing pays in the greater efficiency of the hard-worked animal. It is best 

 to groom the work horse at night after a severe day's work, so that he 

 may rest more comfortably. As idle horses running at pasture sweat 

 little, consume green grass and other laxative foods, and have abundant 

 opportunity to roll, grooming is unnecessary. While grooming should be 

 thoro, a dull currycomb is preferable to a sharp one, and a brush should 

 be used on the tender head and legs. 



470. Care of teeth. The teeth of the horse often wear irregularly, 

 especially those of old horses, leaving sharp points and ragged edges 

 that cause pain, prevent proper mastication of food, and in extreme cases 

 actually cause starvation. Many horses that are poor in flesh and wear 

 staring coats, despite a reasonable supply of food, owe their condition 

 to poor teeth alone. The teeth should therefore be frequently examined 

 and cared for, the irregularities being removed by a float or guarded 

 rasp. The first, or milk teeth, are also apt to remain too long in the 

 young horse's mouth, causing crooked permanent teeth. In such cases 

 the milk teeth should be removed with forceps. 



471. General hints. To be most efficient in converting the energy of 

 his feed into useful work, the horse must labor in a properly fitting har- 

 ness. The collar needs special attention, for the capacity of many a horse 

 is decreased because he wears an ill-fitting collar. It is vitally important 

 that his feet be properly shod, so that the weight and wear are evenly dis- 

 tributed on the joints of the ankle. The other mechanical principles 

 which determine the efficiency of work, such as the correct use of eveners, 

 the proper adjustment of traces and of line of draft, the distribution of 

 the load on the wagon, and the influence of size of wheel, width of tires, 

 and character of road bed must all be given due consideration. In start- 

 ing the day the horse should be gradually warmed to his work, so that his 

 collar will be shaped to his shoulders, his muscles in proper trim, his 

 bowels relieved, and breathing and heart action quickened before he is 

 put to extreme exertion. It is likewise well to cool him off gradually at 

 the end of a trip or of the day's work before returning to the stable. 

 That he may rest in comfort, his stall should be well bedded. 



No other farm animal is so strongly the creature of habit as is the 

 horse, and in no way is he more so than in the matters relating to food 

 and its administration. Sudden changes in quantity and variety should 

 be avoided. A quick change from oats to corn may bring on colic, but 

 changing from corn to oats is less dangerous. An abrupt change from old 

 to new hay or oats, or from late to early cut hay, is hazardous. Wilted 

 grass or new mown hay is more dangerous than fresh grass. Horses are 

 especially susceptible to poisoning thru eating moldy grain or forage. 



