THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



such food as will produce muscle and bone, though the rearing 

 should not be forced so as to produce obesity ; and plenty of 

 exercise is as necessary almost as food. 



During the first year grazing will give exercise and food 

 to some extent j but as growth is rapid at this time a good 

 supply of artificial food should not be withheld. Oats, crushed, 

 should be the chief grain, and a small proportion of beans, 

 split, mixed with these, the whole being scalded or boiled if 

 possible, and bran added to form a mash, is good and appro- 

 priate feeding, together with sound hay. In winter shelter is 

 necessary, during the night at least, and the allowance of food 

 must be increased. Until two years old the same treatment 

 should be continued, and voluntary exercise allowed every day ; 

 but if a number of foals are together, the fillies ought to be 

 separated from the colts, and the question of castrating the 

 latter has to be considered, as also the advisability of com- 

 pleting the rearing in the straw-yard or at pasture. With 

 regard to the last question much will depend upon circum- 

 stances. Whichever course may be decided upon, the food 

 aspect of rearing must not be neglected, as under-feeding is far 

 from being economical ; and though it is very desirable to 

 handle, and even work animals at two and three years of age, 

 yet as they have not reached maturity, long-continued or severe 

 labour is most reprehensible, as it brings about premature 

 decay. 



