Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1890 — THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD. [ARTICLE]

THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

Things of Interest and Profit to the Thoughtful Agriculturist. How to Select a Good Family Horse—Profit la Halting Oats—Growing Sugar Beets— Covering Dew with Soil—Farm and House Notes. The Quest for the Family Horse. A good many of us, at least once in our lives, have occasion to purchase a family hone, and it is also true that many feel considerable diffidence in approaching the matter, says an Albany Cultivator writer. There is a prevalent impression that a horse can conceal within his person more tricks, hereditary weaknesses and other short comings than any other animal. The most desirable course to pursue when the purchaser is not an expert in equine matters, is to take the horse on trial, after having made as good a selection as possible from external appearances. A week’s driving will bring out the srood and bad qualities of a horse pretty effectually. It can be seen then whether the animal shies or not I L he does,- don’t finish out the week of trial; that fault should condemn him if he has no other. With a shying horse one is always nervously on the watch, and very likely also on the edge of an embankment, and lucky he is if he goes no further. A week’s driving will also show whether the horse is afraid of the cars, the noise of machinery and numerous other sights and sounds that are met constantly. A horse may have the finest disposition in the world, and yet, if easily frightened or addicted to shying, he is entirely unfitted to be a family horse that women and children may drive; and a family horse that a man’s wife cannot be trusted to drive is exceedingly poor property. If the owner will not let the horse go out on trial—and many dealers are not willing to do this —at least the buyer should insist on taking a drive with the animal alone, -and should demand a guarantee that the horse may be returned if not found as represented. Some of the desirable traits in a family horse are kindness of disposition, good size and strength, and the ability to walk fast. It is of special importance that he should travel smoothly, and draw the carriage evenly, some horses having The disagreeable habit of starting suddenly. and thus jerking, the vehicle whenever they are urged forward with the voice, or a touch of the whip. A horse with a very heavy coat of hair is to be avoided, since this makes grooming a much more difficult matter. The thick coat induces such abundant perspiration as to make the horse look unkempt whenever he has been driven. Unless this perspiration is thoroughly cleaned out, the hair will soon get into a very filthy condition. Another point to notice is the position of the mane. A few horses are to be found with this falling over upon the lift side of the neck, causing a good deal of vexation in harnessing, since it is almost sure to get into the buckle when buckling the throat-lash of the bridle or halter. As this is the side on which a horse is usually hitched in the stall, it gives him a chance to rub his mane if he is so disposed and he frequently is. Width of face between the eyes, breadth of back just forward of the hips, a broad deep chest, and good upstanding feet (not flat) are points that should be well considered.