HORSES AXD HOUNDS. 15 



of all kinds, witli moderate care, will arrive in proper time at 

 the standard of tlieir parents, in this respect ft)llowing either 

 sire or dam, generally the latter, and sometimes going back 

 either in colour, shape, or make, to their progenitors. Nothing 

 will be gained by over-forcing, except an overgrowth in some, 

 which is anything but desirable, or an overload of fat in others. 



There is, indeed, a good deal of common sense in keeping 

 young horses in, what is generally termed, a good growing and 

 improving state. Everything beyond that is unnecessary in our 

 department of breeding for the hunting field. Good heavy oats, 

 we all know, are the most likely to produce muscle ; and two 

 feeds of these during the summer, and three or four when the 

 autumn commences, and up to the ensuing spring, will be amply 

 sufficient to bring any foal up to a proper standard. 



Foals may be weaned early or late in the autumn, according 

 to tlieir age, the state of their m.other and her milk. When the 

 foal is weaned, the mare should be attended to, and if her udd^r 

 become distended, the milk should be drawn off once a day. A 

 slight dose of physic will, however, now be necessary also. 

 Should the udder become hard, goose grease, or lard, should be 

 rubbed in ; the former is one of the most penetrating ointments, 

 or applications, that can be used, and is likewise of a drying 

 nature. The lard has more softening and soothing qualities, and 

 is generally more safe in its application to such tender parts. 

 In case of inflammation, or the mare's being in a very feverish 

 state, bleeding will be necessary. Should the mother be full of 

 milk, and in good case, I should prefer letting the foal remain 

 with her until the end of September, or beginning of October, 

 in preference to stopping suddenly her full supply of milk. A 

 foal, when weaned, requires a companion, and if no other can 

 be found, a young donkey will answer the purpose. Fillies and 

 colts of the same age will do well together, having a good roomy 

 shed, and mangers, and racks for hay, placed in different situa- 

 tions, so that they cannot interfere with each other ; but after the 

 first winter, the fillies and colts must be kept separate, and even 

 before, if the latter show any disposition to be troublesome. 



The first Avinter is always the most severe trial to all young 

 animals, and if not well fed and attended to, their growth will 

 receive a check, which they will never afterwards recover. _ Get 

 them well over this, and launch them fairly in good condition 

 in the following month of May, and little anxiety is necessary 

 as to their future well doing. Vary their food during the first 

 winter, and give them linseed tea. An excellent food is pre- 

 pared by boiling linseed to a jjulp and infusing it over hay chaff* 

 mixed with bruised oats. This is the most nourishing diet that 



