LFP 211: Livestock Farm Practice (0+1)

WASHING

Horse

• Horses are not usually washed all over as it removes the natural oil from the skin and predisposes to chills. Washing is done for the following reasons (1) for the cure of the skin diseases (2) to improve the appearance just before shows and sales.
• The skin should be wetted first with sufficient quantity of water and worked into the roots of the hair with a piece of flannel or a soft brush. Then soap should be well rubbed over the body against the hair and worked into a lather with the brush or hands. Then the body is rinsed with lukewarm water and lastly with bucketful or two of cold water. After washing, use the sweat scrapper, dry with wisps of straw, and then exercise (first trot and then walk) for a short time. Washing the legs is frequently followed by cracking of the surface skin (chapping) which is more likely to occur when warm water is used and when weather is cold with a keen wind. Chapping when confined to the hollow of the heel the condition, is called “cracked” or “greasy” heel. Dry bran, fine saw dust or hay chaff should be worked into the hair to moisture, left until dry and then brushed out. A loose bandage should be applied over the saw dust etc., while the legs are drying.

Cattle

• Washing is done to remove the dirt. For clean milk production, in dairy cows the regions of flank, udder and tail are washed with antiseptic lotions and dried with a clean towel.

Wallowing

• Buffaloes left to themselves seek water and remain almost totally submerged init for long periods during the heat of the day. Ponds or other artificial tanks may be used for purpose of wallowing. Such wallowing helps the buffaloes to regulate their body temperature by avoiding heat radiation effect from the sun. This also helps to maintain good milk yield in summer months. Spraying may be an advantage over wallowing in terms of hygienic requirements and for clean milk production.

Pigs

• In tropics, pig management in summer again, necessitates the construction of either wallows or provision of spray in devices to keep them comfortable and for good growth.