86 THE HORSE. 



Olio part of luaizo iiiay be fed, if this proves ecoiiouiical. Uat- 

 straw and Lay should be given ad libitum. A daily alloAvance 

 of about a pound of bran will be useful. Care must be taken 

 in the winter to keejj the bowels of young horses in good order 

 by giving a sufficiency of I'oots. Bran-mashes will not, as a 

 rule, be required, but if the bowels appear coaistipated, a bran- 

 aiash should be provided. 



When to Work Young; Horses — Young horses of 

 the draught horse class may be slightly worked when about 

 two-and-a-half years old. Those of the light class must not Ije 

 broken in so early; in their case, the breaking-in process should 

 be deferred until they are three and a-half years old. 



It is of great importance to handle young horses as much as 

 possible frO' n foalhood, so that they may get quite docile and 

 quiet. They must always be treated with kindness, and all 

 rouirh treatment or punishment should be riwrouslv avoided. 



The Hoofs of all Young Horses require to be care- 

 fully examined about every two months. If they have become 

 overgrown at any part, the superfluous horn must be trimmed 

 away, and care nmst be taken to keep the hoofs in good shape. 

 Neglect to do so may result in the feet becoming permanently 

 misshapen, or even in their assuming a permanent turned-in 

 or turned-out position. 



Foals and young horses do best when two or more are 

 together. Single animals feel lonely, and pine for com- 

 panionship. If it can be done, therefore, it is always advisable 

 to rear foals together, and to let them have company. 



Entire colts should be castrated when about a year old. 

 But if an entire colt is backward in development, and has not 

 made satisfactory growth, the operation of cutting him may 

 with advantage be postponed for a few months, or even a 

 year, beyond the usual time. Castration must be done ))y a 

 veterinary surgeon, and cannot be done liy an amateur. 



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