THE STABLED HORSE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3339, 13 March 1918, Page 10

THE STABLED HORSE.

Some vices and whims of the stabled horse are recounted in the Town and Country Journal. Many horses have the habit of rolling in the stable. This is somewhat dangerous for the horse,- as he is likely to get fast, particularly if his stall rather narrow. When the horse attempts to roll and stays over on his back the stall is too narrow for him to- go on over, so he cannot, get up, and as it is often impossible for hini to roll back, he gets fast. The /longer he struggles while lying on his back the worse his condition becomes. This habit is due, perhaps, to lack of opportunity to roll. The horse should be turned to a paddock for a few minutes each evening, so that he may frolic. To overcome the habit secure a small ring and set it in the top of the halter. Suspend a small rope from a beam or coiling so that it will hang directly over the horse's shoulders when standing at the manger. Attach a snap to the lower end of the rope and snap into the ring at the top of the halter. This rope should be of sufficient length to allow the horse to get his nose to' the ground about where his front feet usually stand. This appliance will permit the horse to lie down, get up, and' do as much as he likes, but he cannot place the top of his head to the ground. As he cannot roll without first placing the top of his head on the ground, this is a very efficient arrangement for overcoming the habit. « - ■i. *~ Pawing with the Fore-feet.— ! This is a disagreeable habit, usually due to insufficient exercise or to restlessness when the animal is left .alone in the stable. It causes useless fatigue and a rapid wearing out of the shoes. The noise that the horse makes while pawing is almost unbearable, especially at night. To avoid the habit exercise the horse regularly. To overcome it buckle a leg-strap around the foreleg just above the knee, and from it suspend. a block of wood about 2in square and 4in long, so that it will hang about the middle of the cannon. When the horse attempts to paw the block strikes him. In case the horse is very sensitive, substitute a corncob for the blpck. Another good plan is to use a heavy strapErovided with a buckle at either end, and uckle the two forelegs together. This strapi should be of the proper length to permit the horse to stand normally., With this appliance he can lie down, get up, move backward and forward, but is unable to paw. Some horses that paw badly in a common stall will cease if placed in a box stall, particularly if bedded with sawdust. Rubbing .the Tail.— Many horses acquire the habit of rubbing 1 the tail against the sides of the stall or other surrounding objects. Thisyis very undesirable, as the hairs soon become tangled, break off, and disfigure the tail. While there may be several causes for it, the principal ones are intestinal troubles, mange or unclean skin, causing intense itching, and infirmities of temper. To overcome the habit the treatment will vary according to the eauf-e. If due to intestinal worms they must be removed, when the horse will cease to rub his tail; if due to"mange or dirty skin,'the disease must be cured and the skin

kept clean; whereas, if due to temper other means must be employed'. / ./ —Chewing Tie-strap.— Occasionally the horse contracts the habit of chewing his tie r strap. It is probably due to the, salty taste of the leather, as he usually begins by licking, and finally takes to chewing the strap. To overeomo the /habit some horsemen recommend to keep rock salt before the horse for, him to lick, although the best plan seems to be that of substituting a chain for the. leather strap. Gorging Grain. — Many horses have the disagreeable_ habit of gorging their grain and swallowing it without mastication. This may result in fatal colic. To overcome the habit give the horse a drink and feed some hay before feeding the grain. Another very good plan is to feed the grain in a rather large, flatbottomed grain box provided with pockets, as this arrangement prevents the horse from getting much grain at a mouthful. Some horsemen recommend placing round stones in the grain box, but the confirmed graingorger is usually an adept at throwing stones'out before eating the grain-,