Pratts Practical Pointers on the Care of Livestock and Poultry | Page 2

reason any article bearing the Pratt trade-mark fails to give such
satisfaction, the full purchase price will be refunded on demand by the
dealer who made the sale.
You can buy and use Pratts Stock and Poultry Preparations with fullest
confidence because you are protected by
The Guarantee That Has Stood For Nearly Fifty Years Copyright, 1919,
by Pratt Food Co.

PRATTS PRACTICAL POINTERS
HORSES
While the automobile and the tractor are now doing much of the work
formerly done by horses, the "horseless era" is still far off. A good
horse will always be worth good money, will always be a desirable and
profitable member of the farm family. But the undersized no-breed
specimen will be even less valuable in the future than in the past.
The great demand for horses for army use and the high prices paid by
the Government, tempted horse breeders and farmers to dispose of the
fine specimens which alone met the exacting requirements of army

buyers. It will take years to make good this tremendous wastage of
horse flesh. But this is a big opportunity for breeders of good horses
and we may expect them to make the most of it.
Prices of really desirable horses are now high. If you have a good one,
take good care of him. Protect his health, lengthen his life. If you must
buy, be sure that you get a sound animal which will serve you long and
faithfully.
See the horse in his stall. If he has a spavin he will hop on one leg when
made to "get over," or jerk it up as he backs out if he is affected with
chorea (St. Vitus' dance). In the latter disease the tail is suddenly raised
and quivers when the animal backs out of stall. Watch to see if the
horse "cribs" and "sucks wind": also that he is not vicious in the stall.
Stand him at rest on a level floor before exercise. If he is lame he will
rest the sore foot.
Examine both sides of the horse. The dealer may stand the "bad side"
next to a wall. Pick up each foot in turn. Suspect something wrong if he
wears bar shoes, special shape shoes, leather soles or rubber pads.
Remove all such things and examine carefully before buying.
[Illustration: ~PERCHERON HORSE~]
----------------------------------------------------------------- _Englewood,
Colo.
I have had many dealings with rundown horses, both in the draft and
hot blood classes, and Pratts goods have always brought them out on
top.
JAS. S. KINSLEY, JR._
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Reject for contracted feet, steep heels, shrunken frogs and bars,
dropped soles, corns, quarter cracks and signs of founder. See that hoof
dressing does not cover evidences of un-soundness. Following bad
attacks of founder the hoof grows out long at the toes, shows marked

grooves and ridges, is convex at the points of the frogs, and the horse
tends to thrust his forefeet out in front when standing and walks and
trots on his heels. Ringbones are indicated by hard bony enlargements
on the pastern; side-bones, by similar enlargements at the quarters just
above juncture of horn and hair. Examine front of knees for scars
indicating results of stumbling and falling. Similar scars on the inside
of knees and fetlocks indicate objectionable cutting and interfering.
Shoulders and hips should be smooth, well covered, and free from
tumors or sores. No sores should be seen on back or top of neck under
collar.
Examine teeth for age and soundness. See that eyes are of like color,
are sound, and the eyelids whole.
The horse should allow one to examine his ears, and should neither
hold them absolutely still nor keep them constantly moving. Still ears
may indicate deafness; restless ones, poor eyesight or nervousness.
See that the horse goes sound and does not "roar" when galloped. Give
him all the water he will drink before testing for "wind." It will bring
out the characteristic symptoms of "heaves" if he has been "doped."
Heaves is indicated by labored bellows-like action of the abdominal
muscles when breathing. Examine the nostrils, as sponges or squeezed
lemons may have been inserted to hide roaring.
----------------------------------------------------------------- _Madison, Wis.
I think every man that owns horses should have Pratts Animal
Regulator on hand. I am a teamster and find it of great benefit to my
horses, whether run down or not.
HARRY E. BURMEISTER_
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[Illustration: ~CLYDESDALE HORSE~]
A spavined horse starts out lame for a few steps or rods and then goes
sound. A lame shoulder causes dragging of the toe and rolling when in

motion. A ring-bone causes an extra long step and lameness increases
with exercise. Stifle lameness causes walking on the heels of shoe and
consequent wearing of the iron. Hip lameness causes outward rolling of
the leg in trotting, and wasting