THE HORSE. 755 



according to his age and size. If to the above a couple of quarts of wheat-bran are added 

 twice a day, great advantage will be derived from it, since the latter is not only nourishing, 

 but helps to keep the bowels in good condition and is an excellent preventative of worms. 



Food that will produce bone and muscle should be given at this growing period, rather 

 than such as will divert from this to simply the accumulation of fat. The food for all young 

 animals should be given in small quantities and often, and the rations gradually increased 

 according to the wants of the animal. True economy does not consist in cheap food, but 

 rather such as is adapted to the wants of the animal, of whatever kind it may be. 



A floor of plank, cement, or hard material of any kind, will be liable to injure the feet 

 and legs of colts when permitted to stand much on them. Soft, wet ground, or mud, will be 

 very apt to make the hoof tender, no matter how highly-bred or how perfect in texture the 

 hoof of the ancestry may be. 



The dam, when fully recovered from foaling, may be put to light work. The foal 

 should at first be shut in the stable during the hours of work; but when he is sufficiently 

 strong to accompany her, it will be better for them both to be together, if the work is slow 

 and does not involve too much travel for him. This will obviate the fretting of the dam for 

 her colt, while he will be able to take more milk from her and thrive better, and will also 

 become familiar with the objects about him, and among which his life is to be spent. When 

 over-heated with work, she should not be allowed to suckle the colt, till she is well cooled off, 

 as her milk in this condition will have a tendency to produce diarrhea in the foal. 



When a little older, in case the dam is used on the road, the colt can have his halter on 

 and accompany her, having the halter tied to the shaft or to the harness. By this means he 

 is under control, is not liable to get injured, and will soon become halter-broken. 



Weaning. When five or six months old, according to his vigor and size, the foal 

 may be weaned. It is a good method to halter both dam and colt, giving them a single, 

 large stall, where they can eat and rub noses together at the same manger. The dam and 

 colt will both be contented then, for they will not miss each other. The colt should be un 

 tied and allowed once a day, for a few days, to relieve the udder of the dam. The colt will 

 also eat at the regular feeding-times, increasing his rations, as he is deprived of his mother s 

 milk. After a while he can be removed to his own stall. By this means the colt is nearly 

 halter-broken without trouble. 



Another method frequently practiced is to put the dam and colt in adjoining box-stalls, 

 for a few days, where the partition is so high that they cannot get together, but where thay 

 may see each other, and allow the colt to draw the milk once a day for a few days, after 

 which it may be taken to its winter quarters. When confined in a stall by itself, the colt 

 should have the freedom of it, and the stall should be large, light, and airy. Besides the 

 exercise it may thus get, it should have a run in the yard an hour or two every day, when it 

 is not too stormy. Plenty of clean bedding should also be provided. 



A seven-months -old colt will take from six to seven quarts of wheat-bran per day in con 

 nection with other food, while a yearling will take a peck a day, together with oats and hay. 

 It must be remembered that this is the growing season, and material must be furnished for 

 producing bone, muscle, and nerve, or the animal will not have sufficient to build up the 

 structure that should go forward until the complete size and stature of the horse is attained. 

 A few carrots, cut fine, given with oats and wheat-bran or oil-meal, make good rations for 

 colts about the time of weaning and afterwards. They should not, however, be fed to the 

 young colt in too large quantities. Good hay should always be given them in any quantity 

 that they will eat. 



Colts should never be exposed to storms and cold weather, nor the intense heat of the 

 summer sun. When out in the open air in cold weather, a warm shed should be provided, 

 into which they may go in the day-time when they wish, and at night they should be com- 



