150 fHE FARM. 



endaring the pains of colic or when differing tlio purgative action of medi« 

 cine, ever think of what they are doing f il they were treated themselves on 

 the same plan under similar circumstances, they would soon come to their 

 senses regarding the management of the unfortunate animal which is placed 

 under their charge. 



A Miizxle for Biting Horseg. — This dangerous habit is taught the 

 horses by thoughtless owners or diivers by playing with them when colts, or 

 teasing them when full grown. A sharp cut with a whip across the horse's 

 nose when he bites may serve to break him from the habit; but when the 

 case is worse and ineuraT)lc, a muzzle for this purpose may be made of 

 strips of light hoop iron or of leather. A band may be made to encircle the 

 muzzle to which strijJS of leather or iron are fastened. At the bottom of the 

 muzzle a round piece of leather should be fastened by rivets to keep the 

 strips in their place. 



How to Save Oatg in Feeding. — A saving may be effected in the con- 

 sumption of oats for horses by simply soaking them in tepid water. Practi- 

 cal experiments which have been made show that by this method the ration 

 for each animal may be reduced by a third. Horses whose teeth have seen 

 their best days masticate the grain in its ordinary condition insufficiently, 

 and younger animals often eat so greedily that the greater proportion of it is 

 swallowed whole. This waste maybe obviated by the simple method recom- 

 mended, which so far softens the grain that it is more completely masticated 

 and digested, and consequently yields more nutriment. Three hours is a 

 sufficient length of time to soak the grain, provided the water is not too 

 cold. 



How Blindness is Produced. — It is said that dark stables tend to pro- 

 duce blindness in animals. A veteiinary surgeon says: " Darkness produces 

 blindness, because nature is outraged in the fact that the sight of the eyes is 

 destroyed by want of light to present objects properly to the vision, and 

 thus, by continued inactivity, producing blindness. Even so is blindness, or 

 imperfect vision, produced by an over-action of hght upon the retina of the 

 eye, as is always the case when light is admitted by a window directly in 

 front of the horse. Nothing is worse than this light, so admitted. Nature is 

 outraged, and as a penalty we have nervous, fretful horses, shyera, crib- 

 bers, balkei's, runaways, and anything but a reliable and pleasant horse." 



Care of Horses' Legs. — Pew men who handle horses give propetj 

 attention to the feet and legs. Especially is this the case with the farmer.' 

 Much time is often spent in rubbing, brushing and smoothing the haii- on the 1 

 sides and hips, but the feet are not proj^erly cared for. The feet of a horse j 

 require ten times as much, for in one respect they are almost the entire 

 horse. All the grooming that can be done won't avail anything if the horse 

 is forced to stand where his feet are filthy, for his feet will become disordered 

 and then the legs will get badly out of fix, and with bad legs and feet theral 

 is not much hope for anything. In short, to those owning horses we wouldj 

 say attend to the feet and legs. 



Ho-w to Tell a Horse's Ag^.— The eiiitoT of the Souihe)'» Planter b&jb: 

 The other day wo met a gentleman from Alabama, who have us a piece of 

 information as to ascertaining the ago of a horse after it has passed the 

 ninth year, which was quite new to us, and will bo, wo are sure, to most of 

 uur readers. It is this: After the horse is nine years old, a wriuklo cornea in 



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