FEEDING OF HORSES. 



with early foals, but not so good as upland clover-grass. Lucerne, 

 resembling the California alfalfa, is also good. The mare otherwise 

 will require no special care, except that she must be well protected 

 from the weather. 



Shelter for the Colt Shelter from the weather should be 

 provided for colts of all classes, and this is particularly necessary 

 during their first winter. Warmth and protection from rain 

 encourages the growth of all domestic animals, and in none more 

 so than in the young colt. A colt neglected in this respect during 

 its first winter never receives its proper shape, nor will it grow into 

 the size and strength of body and limbs which naturally belong to 

 its breed. 



Feed of Working 1 Brood Mares A mare's milk is 

 easily affected by the condition of her nervous system, and she 

 should not be subject to anything that will produce excitement. 

 She may be given light work after the foal is three weeks old, but 

 it should be of such a character that it can be performed without 

 fatigue. She should have a run of rich pasture-grass, clover being 

 better both for mare and foal ; but if worked she should have in 

 addition a ration of grain, which is improved if used in connection 

 with linseed meal. When working the mare, the foal should not be 

 allowed to run by her side, nor to draw milk while she is heated. 

 She should receive invariable kind treatment. 



Weaning The colt may be weaned about the end of the 

 sixth month ; when the teeth and stomach are quite strong enough 

 to digest the succulent grasses that are to be had from August to 

 October. If the autumn is a dry one and grass scanty, a few 

 steamed turnips or carrots may be given with bran, night and morn- 

 ing. 



Food for the Growing Colt Hiram Woodruff, in his 

 work on " The Trotting Horse of America," says: " When the colt 

 is weaned, give him from three pints to two quarts of grain a day, 

 the quantity varying according to size; for if he gives indications 

 of large frame and loose habit he will require more than a compact 

 colt which keeps in good order, and fills out with substance as he 

 grows up. The pasturage is still the main thing, and when it 

 begins to fail they should have all the hay they can eat. The grain 

 should be good sound oats. Colts should not have corn when 

 young, and even to old horses it should be fed sparingly. Give 

 him along with this occasionally a nice warm mash. Wlien the 

 colt is a yearling his allowance of oats may be increased to four 

 quarts a day. This is the main-stay, but the other food should be 

 good and abundant. " My principle is to give oats sparingly until 

 the time comes to put the horse to some work, and I think it will 

 generally result in this; that the horse will have all the size that in 

 the order of nature he should have, and will be of a much hardier, 

 healthier and more enduring constitution than he would have had if 

 he had been forced along rapidly with all the highly stimulating 



