CARE OF THE STALLION 



Jay Gelder 



Kanona, Steuben Co., N. Y. 



Stallions, like some people, are almost 

 Innnaii; and. like the favorite son of rich 

 parents, many of them are ruined by 

 so-called kindness. The man who in- 

 vented the solitary confinement box stall 

 method of caring for a stallion was a 

 fool and a twin brother to the inventor 

 of cribbing, lip lapping, stall kicking 

 nuistnrbating, weak foals, sterility, weak 

 joints, brittle hoofs, ruined constitutions, 

 disappointment, loss, etc. Possibly some of these troubles may 

 be inherited, but positively all can be caused for want of proper 

 exercise, care and feeding. 



T.IGIIT WORK DESIKABLK 



Teach tlie stallion to work, preferably as a two-year-old — light 

 work, of course. It is all right to use a young stallion for light 

 driving if we can accomplish something by it ; hauling milk to the 

 creamery every m-orning is ideal if the distance is not too great or 

 the load too heavy. The regularity of exercise is desirable, and it 

 is the cheapest way possible to advertise a stallion. Let him step 

 otf at top speed for a short distance on a smooth, soft piece of road 

 — only a few rods at first, enough to expand his lungs and develop 

 his muscles, but never to excess. Never let him jog or shuttle 

 along, for no one loves a loafer ; surplus energy will be used in the 

 active walk, which is the real gait for the drafter. 



It is difficult to say just how much work a young draft stallion 

 should have, but certainly never enough to fatigue him. Two 

 or three hours in the early morning and the same amount in the 

 late afternoon is ideal, and can often be arranged more profitably 

 than it would appear at first thought. Drawing a smoothing har- 

 row, cultivator, weeder, grain fertilizer, etc., can usually be done 

 profitably with two-year-old drafters. Three- and four-year-old 



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