Weaning the Foal. 87 



breaking. As soon as the excitement and commotion, which 

 usually follows weaning, has spent itself, and the foals have 

 settled down quietly to the changed conditions, a start 

 should be made by hanging up the rack chains above the 

 feeding mangers in such a way that the loose ends will reach 

 the bottoms of the mangers. When the foal is feeding, the 

 loose end of the chain will dangle about its face, ears, etc., 

 will rattle on the manger and conduce to that familiarity 

 that breeds contempt. 



Concurrently with this item in the curriculum, the 

 dandy brush stage will be progressing. Kindness and 

 patience are essential to success. The great thing is not to 

 expect the foal to do something well that it does not know 

 how to do at all. Two men to each foal will be necessary at 

 the commencement, one to hold the foal with a long rein, 

 the other to manipulate the brush and pick out the feet. 

 After a few days, when the foal understands that no harm is 

 intended, and submits quietly to the brushing of foretop, 

 mane, tail and limbs, one man may take charge single- 

 handed. Having first gently brushed the foretop, face and 

 neck, he will quietly pass the free end of the long rein 

 through the ring in the wall to which the rack chain is 

 attached. Holding the slack of the rein in his right hand, 

 he will brush over the foal's shoulder, back and quarters 

 with the brush in his left, taking care to keep a gentle 

 " feel " of the foal with the rein. If, as in all probability 

 he will, the foal starts and flies back, no attempt should be 

 made to hold him absolutely fast during the first lessons ; a 

 judicious " give and take " should govern the tutor's 

 method, but gradually the foal should learn that he is not a 

 free agent. When the offside of the foal is to be brushed, 

 the man should not attempt to make the foal " come over;" 

 that can be taught at a later stage: but the man should 

 cross in front of the foal, and, taking the rein in his left 



