154 The Management of Light Horses 



to try to take the running into his own hands, so to speak, which 

 he must not be allowed to do. It is obvious that the earlier this 

 plan is adopted the greater will be the success attendant on it. 

 Not only will the foal have less strength to resist his teacher, but 

 what is of much greater importance, he will have much less inclina- 

 tion to do so. And it must be firmly impressed upon the owner 

 of a foal, that when once he is taught to lead he must have con- 

 stant practice, lest the lesson, once learnt, should be forgotten. 

 This means serious waste of time, and it is needless to point out 

 that on a farm time is money. Nothing can be more absurd than 

 to teach a foal useful lessons and allow him to forget them almost 

 as soon as they are taught. Once well taught a little judicious 

 handling from time to time will keep in his memory the valuable 

 lessons he has learnt. 



When the mare and her foal have got thoroughly strong and 

 are turned out " for good ", the question arises as to what hand 

 feeding they shall have. Undoubtedly the mare will be all the 

 better for a few crushed oats, and if the foal learns to eat them 

 along with her, he will gain in growth and be all the better for it. 

 But after all, this is an economic question which can only be deter- 

 mined by the prospective value of the foal. As, however, I do not 

 suppose that anyone would attempt to breed anything but good 

 horses, I shall unhesitatingly advise that both mare and foal be 

 liberally treated, which, it may be pointed out, is a very different 

 thing from being extravagantly treated. A foal should be kept 

 growing, which is a different matter from having his growth forced 

 — a custom which is far too prevalent at the present day. 



As to how far the mare and foal should be helped when the 

 foal has once got thoroughly established, this can only be ascer- 

 tained by actual observation. If they are both doing well, and 

 the pasture is good, and especially if it is on a limestone soil and 

 well looked after, for some few months no assistance may be 

 needed, but the man who looks after the foal is the best judge 

 of that. A month or five weeks before the foal is weaned some 

 bruised oats may be given to both mare and foal at each end of 

 the day. The extra food will enable the mare to get into some 

 condition for the work which may be her lot when her foal is 

 weaned, and it will strengthen the foal and enable him to bear 

 better the sudden change in his diet and surroundings when he 

 is deprived of the maternal care and the sustenance he has derived 

 from his dam. 



