CHAPTER XL 



QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. 



The following questions and answers are a compilation of some of 

 the many questions that have been asked and answered in connection 

 with the Farmers" Institute work of Minnesota, by good veterinary 

 authority, in relation to those that pertain to disease, etc., the others 

 by the author. 



ANSWERED BY THE AUTHOR. 



Would not the method of tying the horse by the tail to make him 

 pull be considered inhuman treatment in fly and mosquito season? 



Ans. Yes; it would if the horse was expected to go a long distance 

 tied in that way by the tail. But a few rods work hitched by the tail will, 

 generally, be sufficient to satisfy him that he had rather pull the load by 

 his shoulders, and have the use of his tail for his protection against flies 

 and mosquitoes. Be sure, however, that you do not get your horse angry 

 and disposed to "sulk" before you hitch him by the tail, or he may not 

 go at all. 



At what age is it best to break a young colt to the halter — and how? 



Ans. When ten days or two weeks old is about the best time to 

 begin his education to the halter, and the best method is fully represented 

 in connection with cut No. 29. 



What age is best to harness and drive the colt? 



Ans. This is also well represented and illustrated in cuts No. 30 

 and 31. 



How would you handle all vicious and tricky horses? 



Ans. To answer this question satisfactorily would require more 

 time and space than is allowed here, and we would refer all those in- 

 terested to chaptersXXXIII and XXXIV. 



How do you account for so many of our horses of the present day 

 having bad legs? 



Ans. The principle cause is the use of stallions and mares for breed- 

 ing purposes that have defective legs. Stallions have the power to trans- 

 mit their defects as well as mares (if not more) and when both are de- 

 fective in like manner we could not reasonably expect perfect foals. 

 Nature abhors incongruities — the perfect cannot be produced from the 

 inherited imperfect. 



Have you any method that you consider good for the care and 

 wintering of stallions? 



Ans. Yes; you will find this subject considered at length in chap- 

 ter VIII. 



