THE BOY BE A BOY AND THE COLT A COLT 221 



dry, carbonaceous foods, to delay the milk flow. (For 

 teething, see Chapter XV.) 



The foal should not be petted, but kindness and 

 firmness should be used in handling it. Sometimes the 

 attempt is made to educate the foal beyond its ability 

 to receive instruction. It is a mistake to attempt to 

 educate either boys or foals above their capacity. The 

 colt trained to all the ways of mature horses is sure 

 to be put to horse -work too young. Let the boy be a 

 boy, and the colt a colt. While the foal is yet with its 

 dam, it should be taught to lead and to allow its feet 

 to be handled. The paramount object in all kinder- 

 garten work with the foal is to teach it prompt obedi- 

 ence and to inspire it with courage and confidence. It 

 should be taught to follow unhesitatingly when it is led. 

 It should not be allowed to get its legs entangled in 

 stable floors, bridges or fences, and it should never be 

 purposely frightened. The colt arid the filly, as well as 

 mature animals, discern quickly a timid, hesitating or 

 incompetent attendant or driver. As the attendant is, 

 so is the future mature animal likely to be. Teach the 

 foal but little; but what little education it does receive 

 should be so thorough that it will be retained through 

 life. Young colts are nervous; endeavor to strengthen 

 their nerves by implanting confidence, which tends to 

 allay nervousness. 



Much space has been given to the brood-mare and 

 her offspring, because these are the foundations 'upon 

 which success or failure rests. But it will be necessary 

 to add something by way of suggestion as to the 

 business of breeding horses, selecting breeds to suit 



