260 THE HANDBOOK FOR PRACTICAL FARMERS 



be weaned in the fall just about the time of going on dry feed. 

 At this time the colt must receive extra feed and attention, or it 

 will lose flesh and its future development and usefulness may be 

 retarded. 



Fall foals. — On grain farms the heavy work begins in March 

 and continues until August ; in dairy districts, where much hay 

 is to be harvested and many silos are to be filled, it may last until 

 October. When fall foals are to be raised the mares should be 

 bred so as to foal as soon as convenient after the season 's work, 

 provided the foals do not come when flies are especially annoy- 

 ing. The time of breeding and other details will be modified by 

 circumstances. 



While the mare is not so likely to breed in the fall as in the 

 spring — due, in part at least, to her thin condition after the 

 summer's work — yet by increasing the food, especially the 

 grain ration, by blanketing, and by moderate and regular exer- 

 cise, the desired results can often be attained. The bowels should 

 be kept free from constipation by feeding moderate amounts of 

 succulent food. Conditions should be made as springlike as pos- 

 sible. 



If the foal comes in the winter it will need extra warm quar- 

 ters and extra attention. The dam will need milk-producing 

 foods, such as clover or alfalfa hay, oats, bran, and a few carrots 

 if they are available. She should be exercised regularly. If the 

 breeder feeds succulent food, such as carrots, and provides suffi- 

 cient exercise for mare and foal, it is possible to raise a winter 

 colt that will be a strong rival to the average spring colt. 



Care of the brood mare. — The pregnant mare should receive 

 such a ration as will supply her demands for energy and, in addi- 

 tion, allow ample nourishment for the development of the foal, 

 both before and for a short time after birth. Her work should 

 be so regulated as to protect her from becoming tired, over- 

 heated, or injured in any way. There is no secret in raising 

 colts further than feeding to the mother a moderate amount of 

 nutritious food and providing sufficient exercise to keep mare 

 and foal in good physical condition. 



Worhhig the pregnant mare. — Moderate work is not only 

 harmless, but positively advantageous, to mares in foal, pro- 

 vided proper care is taken not to overload them. It is much bet- 

 ter to work them than to keep them tied in the stable in want of 

 exercise, or to permit them to run at large in fields mth other 

 horses where they are exposed to accident resulting from racing, 

 playing, or fighting with each other. Pregnant mares are nsu- 



