-96— 



after for a few days, to see that the over fullness does not r«8ull 

 iu inflammation and swelling. If necessary, draw away the 

 milk by hand once a day for three days. It is a good plan to 

 keep her at this time on dryer food than usual, and at more than 

 ordinarily steady work. This course will tend to prevent the 

 secretion of the usual quantity of milk, and the udder will soou 

 be dry. 



No matter how well born a colt may be he can never amount 

 to anything if raised a starveling. If the dam is what she should 

 be, he will have been furnished with abundant sustenance from 

 the time of conception to that of delivery, which is one of the 

 secrets of full-formed, finely-proportioned, vigorous foals. From 

 foal-time to weaning he will have been kept vigorous and grow- 

 ing by the quantity and character of the milk fiirnishd him, to- 

 gether with such little food as he has early learned to partake of 

 at the manger and in the pasture of the dam. And, now upon 

 being weaned, it is of the utmost importance that he have liberal 

 food and sufficient protection from the inclemencies of the 

 weather. This must be carefully attended to during the whole 

 period of growth if he is expected to make any adequate return 

 to the owner. Bruised oats and bran have been recommended as 

 the verj^ best food to be given for a considerable time after wean- 

 ing. In any event let his food be supplied with regularity ; and 

 h must be nutritious, yet of such kind and so disposed as to be 

 easily taken. 



He should not be stabled too much, nor in any other way too 

 closely confined — being allowed all that range and exposure to 

 out-door weather common to older stock in the more clement 

 seasons ; but he should never be left out in cool rains nor in the 

 storms and biting cold of Winter. If a place is provided in 

 which he may always shelter himself when the condition of the 

 weather inclines him to seek cover, it will save trouble and yet 

 insure a natural growth and that hardihood which comes of suf- 

 ficient contact with cold and heat. For this purpose a straw 

 rick is sometimes recommended— so constructed as to fiirnish 

 shelter on the side. This will give at the same time bedding and 

 ft light species of food. 



