Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 January 1876 — Watering Stock in Winter. [ARTICLE]

Watering Stock in Winter.

There is probably no one thing essential to the health and comfort of farm stock which is so generally neglected as that of furnishing "a full supply of water. Many a farmer depends entirely upon some stream or pond a quarter or half mile distant, to which the animals are driven once a day over a frozen slippery 1 path, or through snow-drifts, in order to slake their thirst with a liquid slightly warmer than ice itself. If a herd of cattle could all be thirsty at one time, and at the hour most convenient for the farmer to drive them to the pond, this system of watering might answer tolerably well, but, unfortunately, animals have tlieir Individual peculiarities in such matters as well us human beings. No animal can thrive or gain flesh when suffering from thirst, no matter how much or how rich food is given, and when kept upon dry fodder in winter they are as likely 1 to require water as frequently as in summer. Drinking-places should be made easily accessible, so that the animals shall not be obliged to wade through mud and ice in order to reach them, thereby getting their feet and legs wet and covered with filth, to be carried back into the yards or stables. Animals will frequently suffer thirst rather than wade through a mudhole to get to water. Then, again, the water should be pure and sweet or it will be rejected uDtil the animal is forced, by 1 thirst, to drink it. Cows in particular sometimes have strange fancies in regard to water, often preferring that from a stagnant pool to the purest and sweetest spring. But as a rule water from a well, spring, or cistern is better for stock in winter than that .from an open pond or running stream which is frozen over during frosty weather. The water iu the lat(er is usually toft cold either to suit their taste or to be No rule can down to meet all circumstances in regard to the amount to be given or the number of times animals should be watered per day or in winter, but we can safely *sav that each animal will, if permitted, settle this question for itself.

The only true way is to place water where each animal can help itself whenever thirsty. Of course horses that are worked must be excepted, for when brought into the stables overheated by 1 exercise it will not be safe to allow them access to cold water, but cows, oxen and young stock generally should never be stinted in their supplies of water, although we fear that this class of animals suffer more from want of it than any other. There is far too great an inclination among farmers to lay down certain rules for watering their stock at all seasons, and. where water is difficult to obtain they are likely to become less strict in tlieir applications. In regard to watering horses, a celebrated author sums up the question in the following words: “It rests only to say that water, although it should never be given to a horse in large quantities shortly before being put to work, or at all on his coming off work while hot; still less while jailed or exhausted—should ordinarily be furnished liiih often and in abundance. Notsomuch in large draughts at a time, which improperly distends the stonach, as in small quantities at fre-quently-recurring intervals.” If a farpier depends upon hired labor to care for liis stock he must be ever on the alert to prevent neglect, unless the laborers are of a more faithful kind than is usually obtained in this country. Of course we do net suppose that the owners of animals are always to be trusted in this master, for we have known many who were fully as anxious to do up the chores at night and get in by the side of a good fire as anyhired man. The horses mhy have been hard at work during the day, and when brought in at night they would be hastily unharnessed, and left with snow and mud hanging to tlieir legs and feet; no blankets being put on-Aethe coldest weather, although the ytiffnes were little better than open sheds. /To complete the neglect, hay would be tossed into the rack and oats into the trough before them, and then the farmer goes to the house aud forgets that she horses have had no water since morning. Perhaps this latter requisite to health and comfort is offered before the animal is half through with his meal, and if he refuses to drink under such circumstances it is taken as a proof that he is not thirsty; hence no more is offered him until the next day. Now, this haste in the care of animals is the cause of many diseases, as well as general unhealthiness, shown in a staring coat, loss of spirits and health. An animal may he given plenty of good alid rich food, and still remain poor, all

the result of bad management in other matters which are quite as important N. ft#un. (| >) •• '% ' •« _ -V’T