MARK AND COLT. 79 



prevent the horse from getting cast. It is a safe paddock.. 

 The door has its fender fastened to it, so that when shut the 

 whole inside is protected alike. A scantling from the bot- 

 tom to the side in the corners and middle keeps the fenders 

 in place. 



Good food, good water, these I need ; 



For kindness also do I plead ; 



Good grooming, too, will not be vain 



' Tis health to me to you great gain ; 



Daily, / beg, this care renew 



This is your duty this my due. 



If the foal be born in the foetal membranes it must be lib- 

 erated at once or it will suffocate. If the navel cord is not 

 ruptured it may be tightly tied in two places near together 

 and cut between the cordings, or it may be severed by 

 scraping it with a dull knife about two inches from the 

 navel. 



Colts will bleed to death if the umbilical cord is severed 

 too close to the body and too soon after the colt is born. 

 Watch things to have the best luck. 



If the dam will not lick it, then it must be carefully 

 rubbed dry with hay and cloth and its hair left straight. It 

 must also be kept warm. The first milk of the mare acts as 

 a physic upon her offspring. 



Be sure the little foal gets some suck. It is sure to do 

 well if it should suck within a half hour after being born. 



Don't be such a goose as to tie a mare that is due to foal. 

 Give her a box-stall. 



The sucking colt can be injured by his own mother's 

 milk, if allowed to draw it while she is overheated from work 

 or driving. 



When the colt is born during the heat of summer it is not 

 safe to leave the mare out in the sun with it until it is a few 



