THE AMERICAN TROTTING HORSE. 635 



in the uext spring after it was foaled, if the development of the 

 colt only is considered. But necessity usually compels weaning at 

 about the fourth to sixth month of the colt's age. The dam 

 should be allowed plenty of nutritious food while brooding, both 

 for her own and the colt's sake; and after weaning, the colt should 

 be kept thriving, winter and summer. This last is a very important 

 matter, and often neglected. 



Every colt, if weaned, should be fed as much oats in the first 

 winter as it can digest and appropriate to growth. It should have 

 comfortable shelter and bedding, be allowed to go out into a field 

 whenever it wishes to, and should have one or more other colts for 

 company. It is ruinous to keep a colt in a stable all winter, how- 

 ever well it may be fed and watered. It must have sunlight and 

 exercise, or it will not thrive. If allowed the freedom of a field, 

 it will not get exercise enough without another colt to play with. 

 It is a mistake to starve a colt with the idea of making it hardy. 

 If well fed and watered, it will stand any reasonable exposure, and 

 will take plenty of exercise, which gives size and strength, and 

 insures future soundness. Over-feeding is bad, and so is confine- 

 ment ; but starving is worse than either. 



Chester, Pa., January, 1880. 



