4l8 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



of sufficient width to permit the use of both feed and 

 litter carriers. While these carriers may be of little ad- 

 vantage in small barns, they are practically indispensable 

 in large ones. Grain, hay and straw chutes should be 

 arranged wherever they can be used to advantage. To 

 facilitate watering the horse there are several watering 

 devices upon the market, some of which are so arranged 

 that there is a constant supply of water before the animal 

 at all times. When these vessels can be kept clean and 

 free from odor the practice seems a good one. In many 

 instances, however, these watering' devices are traps of 

 filth and foul-smelling water. Perhaps a better plan is 

 to use large troughs that can be cleaned frequently. 



Care of manures. — The voidings, including the neces- 

 sary bedding, will reach six to eight tons per horse per 

 year. On the basis of the fertilizing ingredients this 

 manure is worth from $io to $20 a year. It is, therefore, 

 of importance that the manure from the horse stable be 

 carefully husbanded. If convenient, a separate small 

 building should be constructed for temporary storage. 

 If horse manure is unmixed with that of cows, it should 

 be thoroughly wet from time to time. Some salt may be 

 used on the manure, a quart to a load. This will retard 

 heating and discourage the flies from breeding in the 

 manure. If convenient, swine may be allowed to roam 

 over the manure, as this aids in solidifying it and the 

 swine will find some food in the voidings. 



Paddocks for breeding stock. — In planning the horse 

 barn a few paddocks, or still better, small fields should be 

 provided for near the barn. These lots should be of 

 sufficient size to allow some pasturage. As a rule, these 

 paddocks are so small that the grass is destroyed by the 

 tramping of the animals. A few small grassy paddocks 

 near the barn are very convenient in separating pregnant 

 mares or foals and dams from other horse stock. Such 

 paddocks afford ideal runs for young foals while the dams 

 are at work. 



