196 



CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



XXII. How to Raise a Colt. 

 The colt should bo allowed to run with the dam until it is about six 

 months old. The mare should have plenty of grass, and such other food 

 as may be necessary to keep up her condition. If, at weaning time, the 

 Mare do not dry off kindly, the milk should be drawn by hand, often enough 

 to prevent inflammation ; keeping her on dry food will assist in the pro- 

 cess of drying, especially if she be put to steady but light work. At all 

 events she should have j^lenty of walking exercise daily. The colt should 

 be handled and fondled from the time it is a week old, if strong, and a 

 light halter should be put on, to lead it by. Thus it early becomes ac- 

 customed to the master, and if kindly treated will soon come to seek the 

 fondling hand. As soon as it will eat, say at three months old, it should 

 be accustomed to a little crushed oats daily, and the mess may be in- 

 creased from time to time, until it gets a full ration, at six months old. 



POITOU-ASS. 



Many persons suppose that a colt needs no water. Nothing could be 

 further from the truth. After it is a week old, the colt should be offered 

 water once a day, at noon, and as it increases in age, oftener. When ready 

 to wean, it will already have been accustomed to lead by the halter. Tie 

 it securely where it may not hurt itself, preferably in sight of the mare ; 

 feed ^'t generously, give it plenty of water, and allow it to run at play 

 every day. 



