— 344 — 



with any part of the harness, let them be well covered with soft 

 padded leather or fur. 



(10.) Let your tones, in addressing the horse, be alwaj^s gentle, 

 soothing, and jDleasant. Pat him often, and encourage every sign 

 of attachment that he gives. 



(11.) Ever}^ truck, or other vehicle, should have a prop stick 

 hung to the shafts, to relieve the burden of the load whenever the 

 team is standing. 



(12.) Curry, rub, and clean well, and thoroughl}^ at least^ once 

 every dav. The effect is worth half the feed. A dirtv coat and 

 skin, when the animal is deprived of exercise in pasture, and of 

 rolling on the grass, cannot fiiil to produce disease. 



(13.) Never use a check rein. It is a false taste that thinks a 

 horse more beautiful when his head is fastened in an unnatural 

 position. The bearing rein keeps a horse in a constant fret, makes 

 him restless and uneas}", and often prevents him from recovering 

 himself in case of a stumble or fall. 



(14.) Your stable should be perfectly level, or very slightly in- 

 clined, well lighted, well drained, well ventilated, and well pro- 

 tected from draughts, and from extremes of heat and cold. Keep 

 the crib clean and free from dust, and keep the hay and other fod- 

 der as far from the stall as possible, so as to be away from the 

 steam and breath of the animal. 



(15.) If you use ground feed, remember that at man}- of the 

 mills and stores it is adulterated with marble or plaster of paris, 

 or with the sweepings of canal boats and barges. Such adultera- 

 tion not only robs your animals of nourishment, but produces 

 sto7ie, and shortens life. 



(16.) If you suspect adulteration, you can sometimes detect it, 

 by heating a portion of the feed to a red heat, in an iron vessel. 

 After the whole has been reduced to ashes, if they contain plaster 

 the ashes will soon set or harden, after being mixed with water to 

 the consistenc}^ of paste. 



(17.) In hot weather, keep a wet sponge on the head of the horse 

 or mule ; cool the mouth and face with wet s^Donges ; furnish drink- 

 ing water often, and sponge the legs and such parts as are liable 

 to chafe by perspiration or otherwise ; drive slowly, and lessen the 

 weight usually imposed in cooler weather; see that the harness is 



