— S48 — 



not unnecessarily cumbersome and heavy ; the discomfort may be 

 materially relieved by taking ofif the eye-blinds, which are useless 

 appendages, and cause much annoyance to the animal. 



(18.) Do not urge your beast beyond a walk when the heat is 

 oppressive ; finally, use a head-shelter or awning, constructed of 

 wire and covered with canvas, which can be attached to the 

 animal's head without materially adding weight. 



(19.) In icy weather keep your animal sharp shod, renewing the 

 sharpening as often as the shoes become blunt. A few dollars ex- 

 pended in this way will undoubtedly save your horse from serious 

 injury, and, perhaps, from loss of life. 



(20.) Standing on fermenting manure softens the hoof, produces 

 thrush, and brings on lameness. Keep the litter dry and clean, 

 and cleanse the stall thoroughly every morning. 



(21.) Sharp bits make the mouth tender at first, and afterwards 

 callous, so that the horse becomes unmanageable. 



(22.) If your horse kicks and plunges on mounting, look to the 

 fituflSng of your saddle, and see if it has become hard and knotty 

 with use. 



(23.) Keep your wheels well greased, and thus reduce the labor 

 of drawing the load. 



(24.) Keep the feet well brushed out, and examine every night 

 to see if there is any stone or dirt between the hoof and the shoe. 

 Change the shoes as often as once a month. 



(25.) Disease or wounds in the feet or legs soon become dan- 

 gerous if neglected. 



(26.) When a horse is hot and fatigued from labor, walk him 

 about till cool ; groom him quite dry, first with a wisp of straw, 

 and then with a brush ; rub his legs well with the hand, to remove 

 any strain, soothe the animal, and detect thorns and splinters; 

 and give him his grain as soon as he is cool, dry, and willing to eat. 



(27.) On the evening before a long journey give double feed ; on 

 the morning of starting give only half a feed of grain, or a little 

 hay ; on the road feed in small quantities about every two hours. 



(28.) When horses are long out at work provide them with nose- 

 bags and proper food. The noso-bag should be leather at bottom, 

 and of basket-work or open texture above. On coming home give 

 ^ /louble feed of graip- 



