Live Stock Breeders' Association. 213 



where there is absolutely no chance for it to injure itself. If possi- 

 ble, two or more foals should be kept in the paddock together where 

 they soon become acquainted and are much company for one an- 

 other. Great care should be taken not to let the foal nurse while 

 the mare is too warm. She should be milked nearly dry on coming 

 to the stable, left to eat hay until cool enough for a drink of water, 

 then taken to her own stall to eat her grain and to allow the foal 

 to suckle. Either too much milk at one time, or milk from the dam 

 when in heated condition, may lead to serious results. The foal 

 will learn to eat in a very short time, and when left alone, should 

 have sweet, fresh grain and a bucket of fresh water always in the 

 stall. The mare should soon be able to work all day, and both 

 she and her offspring will become accustomed to this routine. The 

 grain allowance should be made ample for both of them until 

 weaning time. 



"What to feed" is the next question for consideration, and a 

 very important one. The food given should be of such a character 

 as to supply material for the making of bone and muscle. It is not 

 fat that we desire in the young horse, but rather growth — that is, 

 development of frame and muscle throughout. 



As yet oats is recognized as the standard horse feed the coun- 

 try over and should constitute the basis of the ration for both the 

 foal and the mare. As a ration upon which to start foals crushed 

 oats and bran mixed together with a very little salt will be satis- 

 factory. As the foal grows the crushed oats may be changed for 

 whole oats and a small amount of ground corn added. A ration of 

 corn and oats, one-half each by weight, does well, but the bran 

 helps regulate the digestion. They relish the whole oats, as will be 

 evidenced by the fact that the bran is frequently found remaining 

 after the oats have been eaten. The only objection to whole oats 

 for young foals is that they are not as easily digested as crushed 

 oats. If the mares and foals are running on pasture there will be 

 no need of roughage, but if they are kept up a very little green feed, 

 clover or alfalfa hay put where the foal can eat it at their leisure 

 will be helpful. 



Then until weaning time oats, bran, corn, grass and mother's 

 milk constitute a very efficient ration. The corn may be omitted 

 entirely without depreciating the value of the ration, but its com- 

 paratively low cost warrants its limited use. 



The amount of feed is a question which needs very little dis- 

 cussion. Grain in the before-mentioned proportions, placed where 

 the foal may eat at will, has been found to give satisfactory re- 



