124: THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



Grinding Grain. A saving of about ten percent may be made by grind- 

 ing, crushing or rolling grain for farm work horses when at hard labor. Horses 

 having poor teeth will naturally do better on ground grain. Crushing or rolling 

 renders grain less dusty and it has been found that ground grain fed dry requires 

 twice as long for horses to consume it as when it is thoroughly dampened. How 

 well horses eat and thrive and the expense of grinding or crushing should de- 

 termine to what extent it pays to grind feed for them. Small, hard grains should 

 be ground to produce satisfactory results. 



Watering Horses. Methods of watering may vary, but a certain order 

 of watering should be followed after a horse has been accustomed to it. 

 Horses that have been without water for a long time should be allowed only 

 a small amount of water at first chance of getting it. It is dangerous to allow 

 a horse when very warm, to gorge himself with water, but a small amount 

 will be refreshing and unharmful. It is well to have horses cool enough upon 

 entering the stable to drink before they are fed and also water them the first 

 thing in the morning. 



Providing Salt. Horses require salt and are fond of it. An ordinary 

 handful supplied on Sunday is a practice that provides a sufficient amount. 

 Horses at hard work require more salt than idle horses. Regularity and not 

 overfeeding at irregular intervals are precautions to be observed in feeding 

 salt. A lump of rock salt kept before the horse at all times is the practice 

 followed by many horsemen. 



Grooming, Clipping and Blanketing. Thorough grooming is as important 

 as feed for the work horse. Removing the waste material that comes from 

 perspiration and keeping the pores of the skin open and clean, insures health 

 as well as a good appearance of the horse. Idle horses do not need the groom- 

 ing that work horses do. The work horse should be groomed at night suf- 

 ficiently to enable him to rest well. A scraper to remove perspiration that 

 may be flowing freely will reduce much of the work of grooming. An old 

 broom to sweep fresh mud from the legs as soon as a horse is brought into 

 the stable is also an easy way to reduce the work of grooming. Currying with 

 a curry comb not sharp enough to injure the hide and briskly brushing with 

 a good brush and woolen cloth, improves the appearance of the horse as well 

 as keeps him in fine health and spirit. The curry comb should never be used 

 on the head or on the limbs below the knees and hocks. A stiff, "Dandy" 

 brush or corn brush takes the place of a curry comb for the head, limbs, mane 

 and tail. 



In the spring of the year when the coat of hair is heavy and just prior 

 to the time shedding commences, much discomfort can be saved the horse 

 by clipping him. Clipping is most conveniently done by two men and the use 

 of the machine clipper. This will also be the means of saving feed and over- 

 coming danger of overheating, chills, colic and resultant ills. There is little 

 danger from clipping if the horse is properly sheltered and blanketed when 

 not at work. 



The driver should regard blanketing during the fall and winter seasons 

 as necessary as he regards the necessity of putting on a coat to keep himself 



