CHAP. iv. HORSE CALENDAR. 1057 



followed in Scotland as regards the intervals between the feeding times 

 of the ploughmen, viz., four hours, suits admirably for the animals, 

 this being the longest period during which they should be allowed to 

 fast and work. There is no more mistaken economy, if the term be 

 allowable, than that of long " yokings," or working periods, for horses ; 

 under judiciously short ones they will do more work at less cost of 

 food and wear and tear of the system. If long yokings are practised 

 greater pains must be taken in the stables, and the baiting times must 

 be longer. In some parts of the Midlands one long yoke is the 

 custom, and answers very well, but the horses are brought into the 

 stable at 2 P.M., and are baited until 7 P.M., then racked up for the 

 night ; in the morning the horsekeeper is in the stable by 4 o'clock, 

 and baits them until they are turned out to work at 6 o'clock : in this 

 way the horses get up a reserve of strength, and a long rest, and are 

 able to do a hard turn at work without injury. For remarks on the 

 general system of feeding, grooming, stable management and health, 

 see months of October and November. 



The green forage food now ready, as winter rape, rye, and vetches, 

 cut along with the straw, and mixed with oats and beans, crushed and 

 ground into meal, will form a capital food, and it will, given judiciously, 

 accustom the horses to the change from the winter to the summer 

 green feeding. A little salt should in all cases be added to the 

 mixture. If vetches or tares be the cut green food, they ought to be 

 allowed to lie for a short period, as, if given fresh cut, they are apt to 

 act somewhat strongly on the bowels. 



Mares about the foaling time should have shorter periods of work, 

 but are best kept in moderate work close up to the time of foaling. 

 The food given at this time must be nutritious, to meet the demand 

 on the system. For ten days or a fortnight before the " note," or 

 calculated or recorded time for foaling, particular attention must be 

 paid to the condition of the bowels, it being essential to keep them 

 gently open. Neglect of this has resulted in the loss, through sub- 

 sequent milk fever, of many a valuable animal. Young colts under 

 training for the "yoke" should be gradually accustomed to the work, 

 gentle persuasive tenderness being the rule. If men are seen or 

 known to be in the habit of breaking in colts under a different system, 

 they should be warned for the first offence, and made distinctly to 

 understand that the second offence brings " dismissal without appeal." 

 A rule of this kind has been known to work where all others have 

 failed, and failure where such valuable stock is concerned is a great 

 misfortune. The work of young colts should be easy at first, and 

 under it they should be well fed and carefully watched and attended 

 to. On farms where early foals are bred a great many mares are put to 

 the stallion at this time. A sound, well-bred horse should be selected ; 

 this is now comparatively easy in most districts, as the breeding of good 

 cart-horses has developed greatly during the last few years. 



3 T 



