HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES. Ill 



Mr. Sanborn's methods give a clear idea of handling for profit in the 

 Southwest. The practice of breaking colts at an early age cannot be 

 too strongly urged; once trained, the spirit of obedience to a master's 

 will is never lost. The natural way of breeding "turned loose" is the 

 practice adopted by all breeders of pony mares to common stallions, and 

 is satisfactory so far as percentage of foals to service is concerned; but 

 it must be remembered that to secure higher results as Mr. Sanborn 

 states nature needs a large amount of assistance indeed, a very high 

 type of skilled "Art" is required to develop and bring to the surface 

 the actual but latent merit of an individual or breed. 



Cleveland Bays, English Shires and Clydesdales. 



"SPRINGFIELD, ILL., August IO, 1888. 



* * # * 



"My way of handling a stallion is as follows: During the winter, whilst I give him 

 a fair allowance of grain, mixed with bran, and cut hay or oat sheaves, I do not let him 

 get too fleshy, giving him good exercise daily, and a few weeks prior to commencing the 

 season, increase his allowance of grain (chiefly oats) so that onigoing on the stand, the horse 

 is improving (/. e., fleshing up). Whilst making a season, I give a horse all he will eat 

 (without crowding him), and in addition to the grain feed, give where possible some green 

 feed once or twice per day. If not available, then the best hay morning and night. I 

 usually feed one meal per day damped with water. 



"With regard to breeding or brood mares, would say: If there is sufficient nutri- 

 tious grass available, they should not require anything else, but a mare to be bred should 

 also be improving in flesh, and will be much more liable to get in foal under such condi- 

 tions; a little extra feed at this time is not thrown away. 



"In addition to their mother's milk, colts should have access to feed of crushed 

 oats and bran, at least twice daily, and although many think this unnecessary, I think the 

 growth and the superiority of colts reared under these conditions will, after being once 

 tried, convince the most skeptical of the benefits to be derived from a generous feed in 

 addition to that provided by nature; besides, a colt is so much more easily weaned when 

 taught to eat and look out for himself when young. All colts should be handled, hal- 

 tered and broke when three years old. * * * * 



"Yours truly, R. P. STERICKER." 



Mr. Stericker believes in feeding his colts, and we think the point 

 is well taken. At no other time in the period of horse existence will a 

 little feed give such large returns as during the first and second years, 

 and the so-called economy of short rations at this time is really the very 

 opposite of economy in fact. 



Cleveland Bays and English Shires. 



CEDAR FALLS STOCK FARM, CEDAR FALLS, IOWA, Aug. 15, 1888. 



* * * * 



"Having so many stallions, it is impracticable to give them harness or saddle exer- 

 cise as required. We have, however, large well-fenced exercising grounds, into which 

 they are turned singly, daily. The exercise and rolling contact with mother earth, vol- 

 untarily taken in the sunlight, aids to keep them healthy. They have box stalls well 

 lighted and ventilated, with earth floors and perfect cleanliness. Their food in the off 



