246 LIVE STOCK MANAGEMENT. 



tage during the first winter. Corn silage, when fed in con- 

 junction with other feed stuffs which are rich in nitrogenous 

 matter, will be very helpful. Some roots, especially carrots, 

 are an excellent adjunct to the colt's ration during the win- 

 ter months. During the first winter the colt should be 

 kept in a box stall during the night and allowed plenty of 

 out of door exercise during the day, especially when the 

 weather is fine. 



Too much stress cannot be laid upon the importance of 

 open air exercise as being absolutely essential to a healthy, 

 symmetrical development of bone, muscle, and the vital 

 organs. Practical breeders have for a long time recognized 

 the value of allowing the liberally fed colt to rough it to a 

 considerable extent, knowing that he always developed into 

 a much hardier horse. Many a good colt by too high feed- 

 ing and close confinement has grown up into an unsound 

 "weedy" horse. The horse is different from most animals in 

 that its future usefulness in no small measure is determined 

 by its hardiness and endurance. These necessary requisites 

 cannot be secured without plenty of bone and muscle form- 

 ing food, plenty of fresh air, and exercise. The long haired, 

 coarse boned colt invariably grows into the high priced horse. 

 On the other hand the sleek coated, fat bodied colt very 

 seldom develops into anything that is valuable and credit- 

 able as a mature animal. 



Liberal feeding is necessary, and especially in those 

 feed stuffs which are rich in bone and muscle producing 

 material. This, combined with an abundance of exercise, 

 are two of the very most important essentials in the care 

 and management of the colt. 



During the summer months, while the pastures are good, 

 nothing in the way of additional feed will be necessary. 

 They should be supplied with salt at all times and have free 

 access to pure water at all times. During the hot weather 

 and fly season, some kind of protection must be provided. A 

 grove of trees or a shed or some other structure will serve 

 an excellent purpose. 



During periods of drought when the supply of grass is 

 scant, some additional feed should be fed. Forage crops 

 may be made to answer an excellent purpose, especially 

 when green oats, barley, clover, alfalfa, or sweet corn can 

 be supplied. A light ration of grain will usually be found the 

 best supplement in this connection. Oats stand at the very 

 top for this puropse. 



