1 20 Management and Feeding of Heavy Horses 



muscle, the development of the respiratory organs, strength ol 

 constitution, and good sound feet. To attain these objects the 

 colt must have a proper supply of good food and plenty of exercise. 

 There is no economy in keeping a colt short of food, or in feed- 

 ing him with what is at hand on the farm, whether suitable or 

 not. 



For the development of bone and muscle bran is one of the 

 most useful foods, and as it can generally be bought at a reason- 

 able price in the autumn months, it should always form part of the 

 rations of the young colts. It may be given dry, mixed with oats, 

 or it may be given as a mash. When there is plenty of grass, the 

 best plan is to give it dry with the oats; but when grass fails 

 during winter a mash should be given twice a day. In the grass 

 districts of the west of England the colts are generally wintered 

 on the dry food, half oats and half bran with hay ; or it may be one- 

 third oats, one-third peas, and one-third bran, having a run or 

 grass all winter when weather permits. 



The sheltered paddock with conveniently placed shed in it, as 

 already referred to, is the ideal arrangement for wintering colts. 

 This arrangement gives just the necessary opportunities for exer- 

 cise, and enables the farmer to bring his colts through the winter 

 in capital form, with the smallest cost and the minimum amount 

 of labour. The shed should be left open during the day, so that 

 the colts may go out or in at pleasure. At night, or in very bad 

 weather, they may be shut in, although if they have the choice 

 they will often be seen out browsing in the rain, or galloping or 

 playing in the snow, and taking no harm. The cold winds when 

 accompanied by rain or sleet drive them in, and cause them to 

 appreciate the shelter. 



In the arable districts of England and Scotland, where the 

 sheltered paddock and shed are not available on every farm, a 

 different system has to be adopted for wintering the colts. There 

 is generally plenty of straw on these farms, and a large yard well 

 littered with straw is the best available substitute for the paddock. 

 If the bullock yards are all occupied a temporary yard may be 

 improvised between the straw stacks, where the colts may play 

 and take the requisite exercise. Of course they have to spend 

 most of their time in their box, which should be roomy and com- 

 fortable. 



Grass not being available, the feeding of the colts will have to 

 be arranged on a different basis, and more of the food given as a 

 mash. The morning feed may be half a pailful each of a mixture 

 of boiled swedes, bran, and oats, or part oats and part peas, given 



