Feeding Promotes Development 353 



effect. When the mare does not supply sufficient 

 milk, the colt should be fed a small amount of fresh 

 milk from a cow. When this is done, one should 

 choose milk rather low in percentage of butter-fat, 

 as milk too rich is likely to cause indigestion. This 

 should be given in very small amounts at first, not to 

 exceed a pint twice daily when the younster is one 

 week old, and in smaller quantities if given younger. 

 This may be increased slowly as the colt becomes 

 able to take it. If it seems necessary that the colt 

 have extra milk after he is six weeks old, skimmed 

 milk should be substituted for whole milk. The 

 change should be made very gradually. In feeding 

 milk, it is important that it always be fed sweet. 



As soon as the colt is old enough, he should be en- 

 couraged to nibble at grain, preferably oatmeal. 

 As a rule he will begin to munch in the grain and hay 

 at two or three weeks of age and should be encouraged 

 to eat. It is a good plan to arrange a grain box for 

 the colt's convenience, though some prefer to lower 

 the dam's grain box so the colt can eat from the 

 mother's supply. In this way the colt may be taught 

 to eat, so that when taken from the dam at weaning 

 time he will not miss his mother so much. 



In choosing the ration for the growing colt, it is 

 important that much protein be supplied, as this 

 constituent is essential in the formation of bone, 

 muscle, blood, nerve, hair and hoof. The food 

 should be palatable and easily digested. Such foods 

 2a ' 



