CHAPTER V 



COLT RAISING 



^ I ^HE raising of good colts depends almost wholly on 

 "*" two things : first, upon keeping them growing, sec- 

 ondly, upon keeping their feet in good condition and in 

 normal shape. What is said above about the care of the 

 foal's feet applies with almost equal force to the feet 

 of colts. See that your colts, when housed for the 

 winter, do not get thrush, on the one hand, or hard, 

 contracted feet on the other. See to it also that the 

 feet are kept properly pared, so that the colt will stand 

 level at all times. 



As to the growth of colts it should be remembered 

 that if a colt is allowed to become thin his growth will 

 be checked, and he will never recover the lost ground, 

 no matter how well he is fed afterward.^ 



It is necessary not only that the colt should winter 

 well, but also that he should do well through the pas- 

 turing season. On this subject the National Stockman 

 gives us some valuable advice : 



The colt that goes into the winter thin is going to stay skinny 

 all winter, and of course he isn't going to grow much unless 

 special attention and feed are given him — and that means 



1 One of the largest dealers in the Chicago market remarked lately: 

 " A half-starved colt seldom develops into a shapely horse, no matter 

 how good the care he gets in later years. Starvation means weakness, 

 and weakness means misshapen, undeveloped parts." 



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