162 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



reduced at the same time, and if the flow of milk is undi- 

 minislied, harder work may be enforced, with dry food and 

 a smaller allowance of water. It may even be necessary to give 

 physic to check or abolish the secretion. Natural weaning is 

 often a longer process with mares kept for breeding only. 



Should the foal die while being suckled, the same care of 

 the udder is necessary as in weaning, but purgative and other 

 medicine may then be administered to suppress the milk 

 secretion. 



FOAL REARING 



Nothing is more important for the future well-being of the 

 foal than judicious rearing during its early years, as then its 

 constitution is most impressionable, and its development 

 receives an impetus which ensures good muscle and bone, with 

 perfectly-formed organs ; or this is checked, and we have 

 feebleness, insufficient growth, organs that are unsound or badly 

 perform their function, and a constitution that will not endure 

 strain all depending upon careful or neglectful rearing. 

 When half-starved and badly kept for the first two or three 

 years of their lives, no amount of attention will afterwards 

 compensate for the lost opportunity of promoting free growth 

 and full development in the foals. 



Therefore it is that the wise breeder will see to it that foals 

 and young horses have a plentiful supply of good and proper 

 food, sufficient exercise, and pay attention to their feet, limbs, 

 and body. Their growth and condition, while being suckled, 

 should be watched, and diarrhoea and constipation guarded 

 against, as they are quickly pernicious to the well-being of 

 the young animals. 



If allowed to suck the first milk, constipation is not likely 

 to occur in the young foal ; nevertheless, it may happen, and 

 to guard against it a dose of castor-oil is often given soon after 

 birth. This does no harm, and may be productive of good. 



