STALLIONS, BROOD MARES AND FOALS. 165 



vital organs that he might have possessed 

 under more favorable circumstances. 



This I believe to be all there is of truth in 

 the idea that colts brought up roughly make 

 the hardiest horses; and there is so much in it 

 that it should attract the careful attention of 

 men who have thousands of dollars invested in 

 the business of breeding horses. 



But while I plead for this wild freedom in 

 behalf of the growing colt I would not lose 

 sight of the fact that generous feeding and 

 protection from inclement weather are also 

 essential. I condemn in toto the starving pro- 

 cess as unnecessary and hurtful. A stunted, 

 half -starved animal will never attain to so per- 

 fect a physical development as one that has 

 been well fed and cared for from birth. There 

 is a definite period in life allotted to growth, 

 and if during that period only a scanty supply 

 of nutriment is afforded a stunted, dwarfed 

 animal is the inevitable result, which no 

 amount of after-care can remedy. The true 

 policy is to promote the growth of the colt by 

 an abundance of nutritious food, and to secure 

 a healthy and perfect development of hearf; 

 and lungs, and bone and muscle, by permitting 

 him to romp, and race, and play at will. By 

 following this practice all there is of good in 

 "roughing it" will be attained, and all that is 



