EARLY TREATMENT OF THE FOAL 189 



time for again putting the mare to the horse, so that I need not enter into 

 that subject here. During the remainder of the time of suckling, no special 

 treatment is required, except to see that the mare is well fed and protected 

 from the weather. At weaning-time she sometimes requires a dose or two 

 of cooling medicine ; but generally she is so nearly dry that no interference 

 is required. 



EARLY TREATMENT OF THE FOAL 



If the young animal is well formed and healthy, it will require no 

 attention beyond that which I have specified as necessary for the dam. 

 There are, however, several accidents to which it is liable ; such as rupture 

 either at the navel or flank, inversion of the feet, etc. ; all of which will be 

 treated of in their proper place. About the time of the mare being " in 

 use," the foal is generally purged a good deal, and a warm drench will often 

 be required. At the end of a month, or sometimes earlier, the foal will eat 

 bruised oats ; and highly-bred young stock are generally allowed, from this 

 time, first a single quartern, and then by degrees two quarterns of oats. 

 Half-breds, and even cart-horses, would be the better for this stimulus to 

 development ; but if it is begun, it should be continued ; and, unless the 

 foal shows such promise that it is expected to turn out extraordinarily well, 

 the extra expense will not be reimbursed, though in the depth of winter a 

 quartern or half a peck is generally given with a little bran, yet, when 

 there is good grass, this is neither necessary nor is it economical. Shelter 

 from the weather should, however, be afforded to colts of all classes during 

 the winter season ; and unless they have this, they soon grow out of form 

 and lose flesh, however well they may be fed. It is now fully recognized 

 that warmth and protection from the rain encourage the growth of all our 

 domestic animals ; but in none are they more influential than in the one 

 which I am now discussing. A colt neglected in its first winter never 

 recovers its proper shape, nor does it grow into the size and strength of 

 body and limbs which naturally appertain to its breed. Independently, 

 therefore, of the ci'uelty in exposing the young animal to a climate for 

 which it is not fitted, the plan does not pay ; and on the latter account, if 

 not on the former, even the most heartless, who consider their own interests, 

 will make suitable provision for protecting their young horse-stock from the 

 inclemency of our winter climate. 



The foal should be handled from the very first week of its existence ; 

 but there is no occasion to use it roughly in accustoming it to the pressure 

 of the hand on all parts of its body and limbs. If this process is very 

 gradually commenced, no I'esistance will at any time be offered, and the foal 

 will allow its feet to be picked up, and its head and ears to be rubbed, with- 

 out taking offence. Grooms are sometimes in the habit of showing off their 

 powers in this way, by taking up the foal in their arms ; but this can do 

 no good, and may possibly lead to injury of the walls of the abdomen. 

 About the fourth or fifth month, and before weaning is commenced, a light 

 head- collar should be put on ; and after the foal is accustomed to its 

 pressure, by repeatedly handling the part on successive days, a leading-rein 

 should be buckled on, and the young thing enticed to follow the groom 



