Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1913 — Spring Clipping of Horses. [ARTICLE]

Spring Clipping of Horses.

The modern practice among the best posted and most progressive horse owners and farthers is to clip all horses in the spring. It is done, on the theory that in their natural state horses were not obliged to work, so could shed the winter coat in comfort over a period of several weeks. Since we oblige them to do hard work on warm spring days, the winter coat should be removed for the same reason that we lay off our heavy winter garments. Clipped horses dry off rapidly, hence they do not take cold as easily nor are they as prone to be affected with other ailments as undipped animals whose longer hair holds the perspiration for hours. Because clipped horses dry off rapidly they rest better, get more good from their food and come out in the morning refreshed and fit for work. Since the advent of the ball bearing enclosed gear dipping machine, the work of taking off the winter coat is easy. With the machine a horse can be clipped all over in half ah hour, whereas with the old twohand clipper it required several hours to do it. Dairymen also now clip the cows all over two or three times a year. The flanks and udders are clipped every three or four weeks, so it is easy to clean the parts before milking. This means less opportunity for dirt and other impurities to get into the milk.