288 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



with a dash of old ale, or a little brandy introduced — the 

 latter only in case of great exhaustion. The foal will require 

 no care, except from its parent. Should the natural nourish- 

 ment prove unprolific, the young one may be supplied with 

 cow's milk that has been skimmed, sweetened, and slightly 

 warmed. An infant's feeding-bottle will serve admirably 

 for purposes of nutrition, or if such be not available, a 

 hand may be dipped in the milk, and the tops of a couple 

 of fingers lifted up. The hungry foal will very soon seize 

 upon them ; but it is, in my opinion, better not to feed at 

 all, except in cases where the youngster shows signs of 

 evident weakness, or that the mother is unable to fulfil 

 her natural functions. 



I always advocate holding up the feeding-pail when 

 nourishment is supplied to the parent. It gives confidence, 

 allays suspicion, and helps to tame the little one, which, 

 after a while, will venture to pick from the hand. 



The nursing-stable should be airy and well ventilated, 

 without being subject to draughts, and the feeding for the 

 matron should consist of moist mashes, composed of bran 

 and scalded oats, varied with an abundance of cooling 

 vegetable food, and a constant supply of fresh soft water. 



Four days after foaling the mare may be put to light 

 exercise : it will do both her and her colt a vast deal more 

 good than being idle, and the little youngster (owing to the 

 constant proximity of his dam's attendant) will soon grow 

 quite tame. His timidity will vanish, he will suffer himself 

 to be handled and caressed, will pick food out of his 

 mother's manger, and will, when October comes round, and 



