76 ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



be longer than will reach to each side of the head collar, for if slack, they 

 are likely to be seized by the animal, and when the horse has a bit in 

 his mouth, accidents are the occasional consequence. 



Bedding. 



The provision of a good bed is an important detail in the economical 

 management of working horses. It is quite possible for them to take a 

 considerable amount of rest standing, and as a matter of fact there are 

 some which rarely lie ; but the more rest they can be induced to take, 

 the longer their legs will probably last, and the more likely are they to 

 keep good condition. A good bed has a marked effect in inducing horses 

 to lie down for long periods, and frequently, during both day and night, 

 and it also prevents injury to the elbows and other parts from contact 

 with the hard stable floor. An ideal bed should provide a level elastic 

 surface, be dry and warm, should either completely absorb and deodorize 

 all urine, or allow it to drain away immediately, and have no injurious 

 action on the hoofs, conditions which no material will fulfil unless 

 carefully managed. The various articles which may be used for bedding 

 are, straw, several varieties ; bracken and leaves ; sawdust ; shavings ; 

 sand ; and peat moss. 

 Straws. Straws. — Straw of any variety, which is to be used for bedding, 



should be long, dry, clean, free from mould, bright in colour, and not 

 much bruised in threshing. This description applies, of course, to first 

 class, truss straws ; excellent beds may be made from inferior qualities, 

 but they do not last so long, are more wasteful, and should only be used 

 when the price admits of a larger issue. 

 Yo To examine straw i7i the truss, note whether the stems are much 



examine crushed and split. This detracts from its value, as once the outside 

 straw in varnish-like coat is broken, urine does not drain off completely, but is 

 partly absorbed by the stalk which becomes sodden, and on subsequent 

 drying, brittle. The truss should be opened, and the interior examined, 

 for here, if anywhere, the damaged portions will be found. Mouldiness 

 may be detected by smell, and by the presence of discoloured spots 

 and patches ; dampness by the feel, and probably by accompanying 

 mouldiness also. 



Bale straw, whether English or foreign, is less economical than truss, 

 owing to the extensive crushing which is inevitable, and which lessens its 

 wearing quality. 



The trade weight of a truss is 36 lb., and 36 trusses make a " load " ; 



the tru.>- 



