Ttif. Foal. C^Cv 



derived from the foal in later years will depend on its being readily 

 subservient to its master's will, and the earlier this spirit is created the 

 better and more trustworthy horse it will become. The future useful- 

 ness of the foal will depend much on its courage and fearlessness, and it 

 is to promote these that the colt should become familiar with man at an 

 early age. The longer this is put off, the greater will be its fear of man 

 and its courage will be shaken, If taken in time and properly handled, 

 it need never know fear. On the other hand, if the colt is allowed to 

 run till two or three years of age, then taken in hand, all will be different. 

 It will be afraid of everything and its courage completely lost. It can 

 be " broken " and may become a fairly gentle animal, but there may 

 come a time, under strange circumstances, when its old time fear will 

 come back, it will lose its control, and be so frightened as not to recog- 

 nize its master's voice. Who cannot recall distressing accidents because 

 the old trustv/orthy family horse became frightened and uncontrollable? 

 This could not have happened had the animal been taken in hand young 

 and never known fear. 



Never frighten the colt. Too many persons thoughtlessly w411 try 

 to make the young colt show off by doing something to startle it, as to 

 run at it, throw sticks or " shoo " it, and the like, which should never 

 be done if it is to make a safe and reliable animal for the future. Do 

 not " baby " the foal. While you are handling it be firm. Go through 

 with whatever is undertaken. Give it to understand from the first day 

 of its life that you are its master. 



Care of the colt's feet 

 The feet of the growing colt should be properly cared for. If left 

 to nature, the feet will not always grow out full, strong and perfect 

 in form. On stone or gravel soil, the foot wears off us fast as necessary 

 to keep it in fair proportions, but the wearing is not even. For this 

 reason, the colt's feet should be carefully inspected once each month. 

 As a rule, it will be necessary to shorten the toes and this should be done 

 with a rasp. The rasp is the only instrument that should be used for 

 this purpose. When the toes are kept short, the quarters will usually 

 care for themselves, for the frogs will bear upon the ground and 

 keep the heels properly spread. The frog needs special attention, for 

 if it gets out of contact with the bearing surface the foot will very rapidly 

 lose its shape, the heels will contract and the walls at the quarter become 

 brittle, weak and easily split both from above and from below. When 

 a split occurs from above, it is difficult to stop without firing or blistering, 

 hence it is important to protect the walls. The sole need not be cut to 



