174 avery's own farrier. 



others, only with a very large one you must add the 

 depth of his hoof, or about three inches in order to make 

 his full height. 



The foal should be allowed to run with its dam until 

 it arrives at the age of four or five months before it is 

 weaned; this should be effected without its worrying or 

 pining after her any more than can possibly be helped. 

 A very good way is to tie them in the stable alongside 

 of each other for a few days; this will prevent their 

 worrying after each other. At this time, if there should 

 be any difficulty apprehended in drying up the mare's 

 milk, all you have to do lo obviate is to cover her bag 

 with sale molasses, well rubbed in with the hand, and it 

 will not fill afterwards. This is no less simple than sure 

 to have the desired effect. When the colt is put up to 

 wean, it should have the best of hay or rowen, and suf- 

 ficient bran and oats to keep it in a thriving condition; 

 and when thoroughly weaned it should be allowed a dry 

 yard and open shed to run in, and also have plenty of 

 good, nourishing food to eat, for the better they are 

 kept while young, the sooner they get their growth, 

 and the better animals they make afterwards, and can be 

 kept at^ less cost. Their limbs also will be firmer and 

 better knit, providing they have suflScient exercise. 

 The idea that stinting colts while young would make 

 tougher and hardier horses of them, has arisen from 

 people feeding them high and keeping them too much 

 confined, thinking that by so doing they would beat their 

 neighbor, or get a high price for them at an early age. 

 But exercise is as necessary to give strength and elasti- 



