Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 August 1910 — HORSE COLLARS SHOULD FIT. [ARTICLE]

HORSE COLLARS SHOULD FIT.

Neglect In This Matter Often Results In Sore Shoulders. The first thing of importance to consider in the draft horse is the collar, says an expert horse breeder. Most of the injured shoulders are the result of poorly fitting collars, and the fault usually lies in a collar being too large. It is a good idea to have a harness maker fit the collars to the horses. Heavy collar pads are to be avoided if possible. Dirty collars are probably as responsible for sore shoulders as ill fitting ones. The ordinary farm hand feels his duty is done if he scrapes the dirt from the collar with the back of his jackknife. This method, however, is not an especially good one for the leather of the collar, and a smooth surface is not left A damp sponge used in the evening as soon as the collar is taken off will in one or two minutes remove the dirt This may be followed by an oiled rag. If this is done tne collar in the morning should be soft and smooth. Careless driving, jerking a horse out of the furrow and into it again, allowing him to work with his head around on one side—all tend to produce sore shoulders. Of course the first precaution to take is not to ask the colt to do a full day's work until' he learns something about his job and ceases to fret The shoulder will then gradually become toughened. It is a good idea to sponge the shoulders with cold water —just plain cold water. Alum water has been used to good advantage; also weak solutions of tannic acid. Alcohol tends to toughen the skin. The injuries to the top of the neck very frequently terminate m fistula, etc. A blister near the point of the shoulder is likely to become a callous and form what is known as a cold abscess. 11l fitting collars and poor drivers are equally responsible for a condition known as sweeny.

The Care of the Separator. Quite a few separators are not satisfactory because they are not properly cared for. Lubrication is very important, yet many separators are seen that are dry in the bearings and pitched with grease everywhere else. Only the best separator oil should be used, and about every month all gear and bearing parts should be completely cleaned with kerosene. Some machines are self oiling, others must be oiled every time you start them, but all need careful looking after to be sure all bearings are well lubricated. Unless a machine is well oiled it will run hard and wear fast. The machine must be set level and be fastened firmly 'to the foundation. Almost plumb and nearly fast will make a poor machine eut of a good one. The crank must be turned with regularity, yet hardly one out of ten does it . When Selecting a Cow. A nervous cow is preferable to a stolid one. The chances are that she would give more and better milk than her dull, mopish sister. There are degrees of mental development even among cows. Intelligence often accompanies profitableness as a milk yielder.