272 HOW TO MAKE THE FARM PAY. 



the fore legs. This should be done by some one in wbom sh( 

 recognizes I friend. Thej should be held firmly, to prevent 

 her striking out at the attendant who assists the birth. 



After the birth, bring a pail of warm milk gruel, and leave 

 the marc and foal to themselves. Entire quiet for two or three 

 hours is the best medicine. After this, give her a meal of pre- 

 pared food. Do not resort to purgations if she does not imme- 

 diately expel the after-birth. Some writers recommend a qjiiart 

 of ale once in three hours ; if, after the third dose, it is not 

 expelled, inject cold water until it is. 



The colt is now the object of care. If the dam is in good 

 condition, she will need no medicine. After a month or six 

 TS'eeks, the labor of the mare should be gradually resumed, and 

 the colt allowed to run with her ; but not yet on tbe roads. If 

 the colt is strong, he may be weaned in six months — except 

 that fall colts should not be weaned until the spring grass 

 appears. The future animal is now in your hands, and will be 

 about what you make him. Half the diseases, and all the vices 

 of the horse, are the result of man's treatment of him. Unvary- 

 ing kindness and attention now, are a thousand times better 

 than the whip or the horse-breaker by and by. He should be 

 coaxed to take morsels from the hand, petted and fondled. The 

 lesson is soon learned, and he learns to regard men as friends, 

 and to do their bidding. It is surprising how universally men 

 repel the instinct of confidence and affection in the horse, and 

 think it is more manly to assert their authority in harsb and 

 threatening tones, which only awaken dread and fear. The 

 colt should be warmly housed and sheltered during the winter. 

 Thousands of good colts are injured for life by being compelled 

 to stand out without shelter, and with scant food. Chopped 

 feed moistened, bran mashes, etc., are even more necessary for 

 the colt than for the mature animal. 



