55 



by shoes. The shoes should be made as light as 

 possible, consistent with the weight of the colts, and 

 perfectly flat without heels, 



TliE DOCKING OF COLTS. 



Probably the best method of docking colts is 

 simply to sever the tail at the required length by 

 the ordinary docking shears, then gather the hair 

 tightly over the stump and secure it firmly with a 

 piece of strong cord to prevent undue bleeding. It 

 is quite unnecessary, as a rule, to cauterise the stump 

 when the hair is firmly tied down over it, as it only 

 aggravates the pain. The blood lodges in the hair 

 and very soon stops of its own accord. The cord 

 should be removed an hour or two after the opera- 

 tion, and it is very rarely indeed that any serious 

 consequences follow. Even in castration firing has 

 largely become a custom of the past. April is 

 generally the best month of the whole year in which 

 to dock colts, as it is neither too warm nor too cold, 

 and during that month flies are not numerous. The 

 presence of flies in large numbers is a source of 

 constant torture to green wounds. It is, however, 

 advantageous to dock colts when they are mere foals 

 at six weeks old, as it is easier, simpler, and safer 

 of accomplishment, and the same directions should 

 be followed as given in the case of older and stronger 

 colts. 



