22 DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



well-sheltered pasture, with a hovel or shed to run into when she 

 pleases ; and if she has foaled early, and grass is scanty, she should 

 have a couple of feeds of grain daily. The breeder may depend upon 

 it, that nothing is gained by starving the mother and stinting the foal 

 at this time. It is the most important period of the life of the horse ; 

 and if, from false economy, his growth is arrested, his puny form and 

 want of endurance will ever afterward testify the error that has been 

 committed. The grain should be given in a trough on the ground, that 

 the foal may partake of it with the mother. ^^ hen the new grass is 

 plentiful, the quantity of corn may gradually be diminished. 



The mare will usually be found again at heat at or before the expi- 

 ratio^ of a month from the time of foaling, when, if she is principally 

 kept for breeding purposes, she may be put again to the horse. At the 

 same time, also, if she is used for agricultural purposes, she may go 

 again to work. The foal is at first shut in the stable during the hours 

 of work ; but as soon as it acquires sufficient strength to toddle after 

 the mare, and especially when she is at slow work, it will be better for 

 the foal and the dam that they should be together. The work will con- 

 tribute to the health of the mother ; the foal will more frequently draw 

 the milk, and thrive better, and will be hardy and tractable, and grad- 

 ually familiarized with the objects among which it is afterward to live. 

 "While the mother, however, is thus worked, she and the foal should be 

 well fed ; and two feeds of corn, at least, should be added to the green 

 food which they get when turned out after their work, and at night. 



In five or six months, according to the growth of the foal, it may be 

 weaned. It should then be housed for three weeks or a month, or turn- 

 ed into some distant rick-yard. There can be no better place for the 

 foal than the latter, as aff"ording, and that without trouble, both food 

 and shelter. The mother should be put to harder work, and have drier 

 food. One or two urine-balls, or a physic-ball, will be useful, if the milk 

 should be troublesome or she should pine after her foal. 



There is no principle of greater importance than the liberal feeding 

 of the foal during the whole of his growth, and at this time in particu- 

 lar. Bruised oats and bran should form a considerable part of his daily 

 provender. The farmer may be assured that the money is well laid out 

 which is expended on the liberal nourishment of the growing colt ; yet, 

 while he is well fed, he should not be rendered delicate by excess of 

 care. 



A racing colt is often stabled ; but one that is destined to be a 

 hunter, a hackney, or an agricultural horse, should have a square rick, 

 under the leeward side of which he may shelter himself; or a hovel, 

 into which he may run at night, and out of the rain. 



BREAKL\G. — The process of breaking-in should commence from the 

 the very period of weaning. The foal should be daily handled, partial- 

 ly dressed, accustomed to the halter when led about, and even tied up. 

 The tractability, and good temper, and value of the horse, depend a great 

 deal more upon this than breeders are aware. 



Every thing should be done, as much as possible, by the man who 

 feeds the colt, and whose management of him should be always kind 

 and gentle. There is no fault for which a breeder should so invariably 



