Feeding and Care of the Horse i8u 



is not fed more regularly. Care must be exercised in feeding laxative 

 foods, such as green grass, clover or alfalfa hay, or too much bran, for 

 such foods prove rather draining on the system of the horse. 



feeding the brood mare 



Many farmers are so situated that they may raise colts without seriously 

 interfering with farm operations. This is a good practice, since there 

 is a strong demand for horses for both city and farm use. A team of 

 mares in foal can be worked up to the time of foaling, if the work is not 

 too severe and if the driver is careful. In fact, moderate exercise is 

 necessary for the well-being of both mare and foal. 



Feeds for the brood mare 



The brood mare should be fed such foods as have been suggested for 

 the work horse, with perhaps the addition of more protein foods, as bran 

 and linseed-oil meal. These foods, rich in protein and mineral matter, 

 are valuable for mares carrying young foals. Through the use of proper 

 foods, mares should be kept in good physical condition. The bowels 

 should be somewhat loose at the time of parturition; if the mare is 

 constipated, a bran mash may be given occasionally. 



While the mare may be worked up to the time of foaling, she should be 

 given a few days of rest after foaling so as to enable her to gain strength 

 and to give the foal a good start. For the first few days of recuperation, 

 a hot bran mash fed once a day has both a cooling and a laxative effect 

 on the mare which is very beneficial. If all has gone well with mare and 

 foal, the mare may be put to moderate work in two weeks from the time 

 of foaling. Some mares, especially those with their first foals, fail to 

 supply the proper amount of milk and the young colts do not thrive. 

 In such a case the mare should be provided with food that will stimulate 

 the milk flow. Good pasture grass is best when in season, but oats or 

 wheat bran, with an occasional bran mash, serve the purpose very well. 

 If there is an oversupply of milk, or if the milk is too rich, the food may 

 be restricted. 



feeding the idle horse 



On the average farm, most of the work comes during the growing season. 

 It is more economical and is perhaps advisable that the idle horse be 

 turned into a lot — if the lot is well protected — and roughed through 

 the winter, rather than confined too closely in a barn. As winter comes 

 on, the horse will grow a heavy coat of hair, which will afford excellent 

 protection. Such horses may be maintained largely on hay, straw, or 

 corn fodder, fed uncut, since they have time to masticate their food and 



