Management and Feeding of Heavy Horses 99 



stallion should have some company. He will be more contented, 

 will take his food better, and will take more exercise. 



A convenient paddock with a shed in it is the most suitable 

 place in which to winter yearling colts; the paddock for exercise in 

 the daytime and the shed for night quarters, or for shelter in stormy 

 weather. If no paddock is available, a large well-fenced bullock 

 yard, with a shed, is very suitable. Plenty of straw underfoot is 

 necessary with this arrangement, and care must be taken that there 

 are no projections or obstacles with which the colts might come in 

 collision and injure themselves. Yearling colts are very playful, 

 and if they have plenty of room will usually take sufficient exercise 

 without being led. At the same time it is good management to 

 have yearlings accustomed to be haltered, taught to be led, and 

 rendered quiet and docile. It sometimes happens that they have 

 to be led to the blacksmith's to have their feet attended to; but even 

 if it is not necessary to lead them anywhere it is better to have 

 them trained to it, as they are easier to manage and take their lesson 

 better at this age than they will when they get older. 



When the spring comes, if the colt has developed properly in 

 size, symmetry, and action, he must of course be saved entire, and if 

 convenient, ought now to be done better than the other colts. This, 

 however, must be done judiciously, as it is quite possible to ruin a 

 colt at this age by too much forcing. Indeed, many a good colt has 

 become a victim to laminitis and ruined for life through too much 

 forcing, and many have been lost through internal derangements — 

 literally killed by kindness. 



The colt must be kept healthy, and that can only be done by 

 feeding on natural food and having regular exercise. 



There are some noted pastures on which the entire yearling colt 

 will grow and develop as much as is desirable without the help of 

 artificial feeding. It is really amazing how the bone and muscle 

 will grow on some of these natural pastures, which presumably 

 must be rich in phosphates and the other constituents which are 

 required for the formation of bone. Those noted pastures are not 

 to be found everywhere, but the districts in which they are found 

 have acquired a name for the excellence of their cart horses. How- 

 ever, if pasture of any sort is available, it is better to run the colt 

 out all summer at this age than to have him confined entirely to the 

 house, and if the pasture is not strong and rich enough, his food 

 must be supplemented by a continuance of the winter rations, or 

 part of them. Bran may not be necessary on the pastures, neither 

 of course is hay necessary, but the oats may safely be continued. 

 If it is not. convenient to turn the colt out on the pasture and he has 



