554 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



A colt should never be allowed to lose his foal flesh any more than a 

 calf should be permitted to lose its baby flesh. 'A colt that is stunted 

 during its first winter will never make as good a horse as it will if it is 

 fed a liberal ration of grain and is kept in good flesh throughout the fiBst 

 winter season. It is even of greater importance that the colt should grow 

 rapidly the first winter than the second. In addition to the food men- 

 tioned, especially where blue grass pasture is not am^ailable, a small feed 

 of carrots every day is one of the best things we know of for the oolt. 

 Don't over-do the feeding of carrots, but feed one or two good carrots once 

 per day, say at noon. Don't forget that the colt needs salt. It is also 

 advisable to feed a little sulphur and ground fentian root. This may be 

 mixed with the salt as follows: Mix equal parts of sulphur, ground gentian 

 root and dried sulphate of iron. To this mixture add an equal quantity 

 of salt and again mix thoroughly. Keep this mixture in a dry place where 

 the colt may have constant access to it. In this way, while the colt is 

 consuming the salt it also gets a small amount of the drugs mentioned, 

 which will prevent worms and other similar stomach troubles. 



Keep the colt stall clean. It should be cleaned at least once per week. 

 Manure that is allowed to lie in the barn for a longer time than that 

 begins to ferment and heat, and fermented manure is injurious to the 

 colt's feet and since it is very important that a horse should have well 

 developed feet, too much stress can not be put upon this point. Keep his 

 stall well bedded with clean straw and keep his feet trimmed so that 

 they may retain normal shape. Remember that even if the colt is allowed 

 plenty of out-door exercise, he is still under artificial conditions and conse- 

 quently is not apt to wear his hoofs off as rapidly as they grow. If the 

 toes are allowed to get too long and the heels too high, the colt is apt to 

 sustain permanent injury. 



WHERE TO BUY STALLIONS. 



farmers' tribune. 



In many communities farmers' associations have been established for 

 the purpose of owning stallions in partnership. This is a very good idea 

 and enables them to breed up their horses economically. Usually the 

 stallion is cared for by one member of the association wh© is naturally a 

 good horseman. Where good stallions are procured at reasonable prices 

 results are invariably satisfactory. There are, however, many instances 

 where farmers are swindled. That is, poor horses are palmed off on them 

 at prices away above their market value. It frequently happens that 

 a company of farmers of this kind buy stallions without any written guar- 

 antee, trusting in the integrity of the vendor, who sold them the animal. 

 Poor results are often obtained in communities where the stallion has 



