136 HORSE SENSE. 



FEEDING COLTS. 

 There is no more important subject in relation to the future use- 

 fulness of the horse than his growth, which is largely dependent on the 

 feed he gets after weaning time. 



GROW THE FRAME-WORK OF THE COLTS FIRST. 



Bone and muscle-making food is the most essential element re- 

 quired, and one or two quarts of sweet skim-milk, together with the 

 .-^rain ration of ground oats, barley, or corn and bran, will keep the colt 

 growing continuously, and thereby avoid that shrinkage that usually 

 follows the weaning period. Three or four pounds of good, sweet hay» 

 two or three pounds of oats and one of barley or corn ground, and a 

 half pound of bran, with the four quarts (not more) of skim milk daily^ 

 varied to suit the size and make-up of the colt, will keep him growing 

 finely, and be very much better than if twice the amount had been 

 given. Don't think because skim milk is cheap and the colt likes it,, 

 that the more it will drink the better. The stomach must not be dis- 

 tended beyond activity. Enough is enough, and too much is a damage. 



DONT TRY TO GROW COLTS ON HAY AND WATER ALONE. 



Large quantities of ordinary hay or straw and water is what pro- 

 duces the ordinary stunted, pot-bellied orphan colt so often pointed out 

 as the scrub, when he may be well bred, and if properly attended to, 

 could have been made as good as many of the others. Regularity in 

 feeding is of far more importance in the growth of the colt than in- 

 creased quantity of feed. 



DONT GIVE THE WEANLING COLTS LARGE AMOUNTS OF 

 WATER AT A TIME. 



One very common error is giving the weanlings far too much water 

 at one time, which deranges their digestion, depraves their appetites, 

 and develops their bodies like "poisoned pups." 



EXERCISE THE COLTS. 



Exercise for the growing colts is of equal importance to their feed, 

 and should be as regular as the weather will permit. If the weather is 

 very severe, the colts must not be exposed long enough to become 

 thoroughly chilled, but it is a very pernicious habit to keep the colts in 

 the stable for days at a time and feed them heavily, as it will tell a sad 

 tale on their legs, that may require months to recover from. 



WEANING THE LITTLE COLTS. 



If you take the colts away out of sight of the dams in weaning, it 

 should be done in the morning, if there are several of them and it can 

 be done, two colts should be put together in box stalls. One will be 

 lonesome, two will be company and three is a crowd and trouble will 

 ensue. 



