Breeding. 103 



old the foal is usually weaned, previously to which he 

 should wear a light and well-fitting head-collar, by which 

 he may be led about with a length of webbing attached to 

 it by a buckle. This is more easily done before weaning 

 than after, as the mare may always be made an induce- 

 ment to- the foal, and it will thereby be half coaxed and 

 half led by a little manoeuvring, whereas if entirely alone, 

 the foal will struggle in order to escape, and will not so 

 easily be controlled. Two quarterns of kibbled oats may 

 now be given to the foal during the day, which, with the 

 grass of summer, will keep him in high flesh, and by this 

 time he ought to have grown into a very good-sized 

 animal. By this treatment the foals are made strong and 

 hardy against the advent of the winter season, during 

 which time their progress is not nearly so fast as in the 

 summer ; and, in spite of every precaution, there are 

 constantly drawbacks in the shape of colds, dysentery, 

 &c. Feeding in this mode is the great secret in rearing 

 racing stock ; and though cow's milk, steamed turnips, 

 &c., will make the yearling look fat and fleshy, you will 

 never see that appearance of high breeding and condition 

 which is given by corn, nor when put into training do 

 they pass through that ordeal in the way which corn-fed 

 colts 'and fillies may be expected to do. At this age, 

 when fed in this way, foals are as mischievous as monkeys, 

 and great care should be taken that they have nothing in 

 their way which can possibly injure them. Brooms, 

 shovels, pikes, and buckets must always be kept away 

 from their reach, and all gates and fences must be care- 

 fully put in order. Indeed, with every precaution, they 

 will strain themselves in their play ; and if all these points 

 are not attended to, the consequence is almost sure to be 

 fatal to life or limb. During the winter .young racing 

 stock should all be carefully housed at night ; and their 

 corn may be increased to three quarterns a day as soon as 

 the grass fails, with plenty of good sound old hay, and 

 occasionally a few carefully sliced carrots or Swedes. 

 During all this time they should still be constantly handled 

 and led about ; and when removed from one pasture to 

 another, they should always be caught and led by the 



