112 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES. 



season should be clean, bright hay, oats mixed with bran or shorts, and once or twice a 

 wiek some vegetables. It is also desirable to cut and save in cellar for winter, sods ot 

 grass, to give them occasionally, which are eaten with avidity and benefit. In very cold 

 weather a little corn would aid in maintaining animal heat, but we use it very sparingly. 

 In case of hird faeces, indicating costiveness, steep half pint of flaxseed, and feed with 

 oats. We aim to keep them in gooa heart through the winter, but not fleshy. In the 

 breeding season the ration is more liberal, and is supplemented by half pint to a pint of 

 hempseed (which is not a drug, and is harmless) say three times a week, and raw eggs 

 about as often, mixed with the feed. Fresh grass is always craved, and is beneficial. 

 For mares, free run in pasture on grass the natural food is best, with, when neces- 

 sary, some oats and bran. Toward time for stinting to the horse, half pint of hempseed 

 is desirable three times a week, and for a short time after service. It is undoubtedly 

 good for both stallions and mares to have reasonable, careful work at proper times, to 

 develop stamina and muscle and give constitution to offspring. Colts should run freely 

 in pasture and have, when on dry food, a few oats, bran and vegetables ; kept growing 

 thriftily, but not pampered; should be handled often, firmly but kindly. This should 

 also be the rule in handling stallions. 



" Very respectfully, W. M. FIELDS & BRO." 



The Cedar Falls Stock Farm is well known as carrying an excellent 

 stock of horses. Mr. Fields admits that it is impossible, on account of 

 the number on hand, to give each stallion the exercise which should be 

 given, but thinks they have adopted the next best plan daily yard runs 

 in the open air. In lieu of the green sods cut and kept for winter use, 

 as suggested, we have understood that ensilage in small quantities has 

 been used to advantage, and we should think the practice would involve 

 much less trouble and expense. 



American Trotters. 



" WILLOW LAWN FARM, WAVERLY, IOWA, July 26, 1888. 



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" As I have been away from home since July i, have had no time to prepare state- 

 ment of care of mares and colts, as requested ; but our practice is to keep as close to 

 nature as possible, giving mares entire freedom, and feeding only such grain as is neces- 

 sary to keep them in fine condition at all times. Our colts are constantly handled by 

 quiet, careful men, so that when ready to put in harness, we have seldom any trouble 

 with them. We have about 50 high-bred mares, and we try to give each mare and colt 

 such care as their individual condition requires. 



"Very truly yours, J. H. BOWMAN " 



Knowing the high character of "Willow Lawn" stud, we can only 

 express regret that Mr. Bowman had not time to give us a more 

 extended outline of his practice. 



Draft and Trotting Horses. 



"FISKVILLE, TRAVIS COUNTY, TEXAS, Aug. 27, 1888. 



* * * * 



"In keeping stallions for public service I have handled each year, for the past 

 fifteen years, from 50 to 150 mares ; one stallion that I stood six consecutive seasons, 

 averaged, according to accurate written records, 83 per cent, of foals to mares served, 

 and all animals handled by me have averaged about 75 per cent., whilst I do not think 

 the general average will exceed 50 per cent, of foals to mares served. 



