58 



to an abnormal length, and it is generally well into 

 Slimmer before they shed their winter coats. The 

 foals are allowed to suck their dams for about twelve 

 months, after which they are weaned and sold, 

 and in this way mares have foals practically every 

 alternate year which certainly cannot be regarded 

 as good management. Were foals weaned in the 

 usual way, however, expenses by hand-feeding would 

 necessarily be incurred in order to keep the young- 

 sters alive. They are pulled through the first year 

 more easily with the aid of their dams, and so the 

 crofters console themselves that what they lose in 

 time on the one hand they gain in value on the 

 other ; but there is little question that the more up- 

 to-date system of management, whereby mares would 

 produce foals every year, would be much more 

 remunerative. 



In south-country studs, where warmer climatic 

 conditions prevail, the chief point to aim for is to 

 breed them small. Small mares and stallions, from 

 a recognised small strain, must be mated together. 

 Unusually small ponies appear occasionally by acci- 

 dent, but, unless they are bred down through an 

 acknowledged small strain, it would be very unwise 

 to breed from them, because the progeny are almost 

 certain to revert to increased size, particularly in a 

 warmer climate. With no extra feeding, no artificial 

 shelter, and careful selection and mating, however, 

 this tendency to increase in size can generally be 

 counteracted, as evidenced by the excellent ponies 



