HUMAKITY TO AKEMALS. 135 



sponges; furnish drinking 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 not 

 unnecessarily cumbersome and heavy ; the discomfort may 

 be materially relieved by taking off 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 canvass, 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 expended in this w^ay 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 stuffing 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 

 dangerous if neglected. 



