APPENDIX. 543 



tested it iu many instances and found it admirably adapted 'to the purpose. 

 He raised two yearlings that were fed a little skim milk after two months old 

 till weaned, and then continued iu larger quantity after weaning and through 

 the first winter. They were given from four to six quarts of milk each, per 

 day, with hay and one quart of oats, till one year old. These colts grew 

 very steadily, developing all parts of the body evenly, and made horses one 

 hundred pounds heavier than either sire or dam. They were much inclined 

 to exercise and test comparative speed at all periods during growth, and more 

 muscular horses, of their inches, are seldom seen. I once purchased some 

 colts six months old, of a good Ijreed, that had been kept on insufficient food, 

 and not properly developed for that age. To make amends for this want of 

 care and food, four quarts of skim milk were given to each colt for one month 

 and then increased to six quarts, which ration, with two quarts of oats per 

 day, was continued for six months, or till one year old. This produced a 

 development which no grain ration could have done. The advantage of the 

 milk ration over a like amount of food containing the same elements in 

 another form is, that the food in the milk is in solution and very easily 

 digested. Stress is laid upon this milk feeding for colts, first, because it is a 

 most appropriate food; secondly, because iu large portions of the country 

 skim milk can be had cheap, and it may be thus turned to the best account, 

 for horse flesh is more valuable than that of other animals. If milk is not 

 easily obtained, then the colt may be fed a pint of oats twice a day, in addition 

 to the milk of its dam, if that is too small in quantity. Before the colt is 

 weaned, it is well to teach it to eat a little oil-meal Avith its oats. When deprived 

 of the dam's milk this oil-meal will prevent constipation and furnish a large 

 proportion of muscle-forming food as well as bone material. About one pint 

 of oil-meal per day will be sufficient. Another food, which I have used veiy 

 profitably for the young colt, is linseed or flaxseed. A half pint of flax- 

 seed boiled in four quarts of water, and then two quarts of bran or oatmeal 

 boiled with it, makes an excellent day's ration, given in two parts — the oil 

 and the albuminoids seem to be in just the right proportion. I have found 

 this ration of flaxseed and oatmeal gruel the best preventive of relaxation 

 or constipation of the bowels, both in the colt and the calf. The small 

 quantity of oil seems to be very soothing to the alimentary canal, and it gives 

 a smooth, glossy coat. — Live-Stock Journal. 



FEEDING COLTS. 



A colt needs a very difliferent feed from the mature horse. Milk is the natural 

 food of young animals of the mammalia class. It contains all the elements 

 necessary for the production of bone and muscle so as to give both size and 

 strength. If for anj' reason the mare is not able to suckle her foal, then the colj 

 must be fed four or five months with cow's milk. As this is richer in both 

 caseine and butter than that of the mare, but is deficient in sugar, it should 

 be reduced with water about one-third, and a little sugar or molasses added. 

 At the end of a month skimmed milk may be substituted for the pure article, 

 as the loss of the cream does not detract from its value as colt food. Fat is a 



