50 THE MERRY GEE-GEE 



but I know it to be something enormous 

 the last few years, and this gives much 

 cause for reflection. 



It is only just for a few weeks in 

 mid-winter these brood mares require a 

 little cheap corn just to warm and hold 

 them together, and by allowing the foals 

 to remain with their mothers as long as 

 there is any natural support, much ex- 

 pense need not be expended on them. 

 Of course, I am not alluding to young 

 race-horses, which must be forced to 

 early maturity to the utmost. Thorough- 

 bred yearlings intended for sale are often 

 ruined by the artificial means used to 

 force them. Their bodies get too heavy 

 for their immature legs and joints, and 

 their feet get hot, thus fostering disease. 

 Whilst breeders and trainers all know 

 the evil results of this system, the fact 

 remains that if you take a yearling to 



