756 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



fortably stabled. In the summer they should be allowed the freedom of the pasture, where 

 there is plenty of good grass, water, and shade. The shade should consist of not only trees, 

 but a shed where they may find shelter from the hot sun. It is not advisable to put colts 

 into a pasture with cows. When turned together, there is danger of either the colts being 

 hooked by the cows, or the cows kicked by the colts. Neither is it well to put a colt into a 

 pasture alone ; two or more colts together will be more contented and do better than when 

 alone, or with cows. 



Raising a Colt by Hand. If the dam should dry her milk, or if for any other reason 

 it becomes necessary to raise a colt by hand, it may be done as easily as raising a calf, lamb, 

 or any other young animal. The milk of a cow that has recently calved should be given the 

 foal. This should be mixed at first with about one-third of its quantity of warm water, and 

 sweetened with sugar. After a week or so, the milk will not require watering. He should 

 be fed four times a day until four or five weeks old, after which twice or three times a day 

 may be sufficient, if he has learned to nibble fresh grass a little. It is better to feed small 

 quantities and often, rather than larger quantities at longer intervals. Horses are naturally 

 very particular about their food, and the pail from which the colt is fed should be scalded 

 every time it is used, to keep it sweet and clean. If his bowels become constipated, two or 

 three tablepoonsfuls of olive oil may be necessary to promote the proper laxative condition. 

 Sweetening his milk with molasses will sometimes produce the same result, where the consti 

 pating tendency is but slight. 



He should first be allowed to suck the finger in feeding, but may be taught to drink in 

 a few days. Wheat bran, bruised oats, etc., should also be given him as soon as he will eat 

 them, according to previous directions in feeding colts. Care should be used to give him a 

 proper quantity of food, and at the same time not to over-feed, either being alike injurious. 

 The quantity required will depend upon his size, age, etc. 



Castration. The age at which this operation can best be performed depends upon 

 different circumstances, such as the difference in breeds, the form of the animal, the use to 

 which it is to be appropriated, etc. The longer the colt remains entire, the better developed 

 will the neck and fore parts of the body become ; for this reason, we think it best to delay it 

 as long as practicable. It can be safely performed as soon as the testicles have descended 

 into the scrotum, but when performed thus early it will materially affect the development of 

 the forehand. It is frequently done when the colt is a year old, and sometimes before it is 

 weaned, but as a general rule, we think from a year and a half to two years is better. As 

 regards age, the young animal will suffer less than those older, as the parts are not so well 

 developed, consequently smaller, and their removal will not produce such a shock to the con 

 stitution. Their rapid growth also at this period causes the wound to heal quickly, with less 

 tendency to a fever. The danger increases with colts from two years old and upwards. 

 Castration is generally performed earlier on farm, than carriage horses. The National Live 

 Stock Journal contains the following valuable directions respecting the conditions, prepara 

 tions, etc., for this operation: 



&quot; Castration is often performed by the owner, by a herdsman, or by some other non- 

 professional man, rather than the veterinarian, and it is therefore especially important that it 

 should be generally understood what conditions contribute to obviate the attending dangers, 

 and insure a successful result. 



Health. Perfect health of the animal is essential to safety. Any pre-existing disease is 

 pretty certain to be aggravated by the irritation and fever resulting from the operation; any 

 impairment of the nutritive functions will retard the process of healing in the wound, or 

 induce an unhealthy action resulting in permanent injury or death. If disease germs are in 

 the system, their development is hastened, and the system has to bear the attack of two 



