Fall Veksus Spimxg Colts 157 



forefathers or neighbors, and venture into new paths. With old- 

 time conditions of cold, open barns, and no snccnlent food in 

 winter, this was a correct practice; but under present-day condi- 

 tions this reason deserves little consideration. 



Spring colts being the natural order there is no need of spend- 

 ino- much time on setting forth the advantage of having them 

 born at this season. 



Marcli colts desirahle 



For several reasons I am inclined to believe that to breed the 

 mare, which is to be idle through the winter, so that the colt will 

 be born in March, is ideal. I specify idle mares for at that season 

 most of the work is hauling — always bad for a brood mare, par- 

 ticularly if the loads are heavy. Also, the roads are apt to be 

 bad or icy, and a mare near foaling cannot safely be worked 

 under these conditions. After the birth of the colt the mare has 

 time to recuperate before her services are needed. A little later 

 she can take her share of light work, such as drawing the spray 

 wagon; and by the time the heavier w^ork of the later spring 

 comes on, she can take her share. The colt will then be eating 

 solid food, and it is not important if the mare's milk supply is 

 not so abundant. 



The colt is large enough by midsummer that the flies do not 

 affect it as they do a younger foal. It can be weaned in late 

 July or August while pasture is yet good, and the mare will have 

 time to gain flesh before winter. Care must be exercised not to 

 let the foal nurse when the mare is warm after working. The 

 older the colt the less the danger. 



ADVANTAGES OF THE FALL COLT 



My purpose in this article is primarily to induce farmers to 

 at least raise their own horses. To further that purpose Uwould 

 emphasize the advantages of the fall colt — there are several. 

 First as to the use of the mare: one can usually time the 

 arrival of the colt so that it will come after the pressing fall work 

 is done. This will vary with different farms — any time between 

 early September and Xovember is desirable. Jn my own case 

 it is after the silos are filled and the winter grain sown. The 



