KATION FOB COLT. 365 



of food, containing the same elements, in another form, is, 

 that the food in the milk is in solution and very easily 

 digested. Stress is laid upon this milk feeding for colts, 

 first, because it is a most appropriate food; secondly, 

 because in large portions of the country skim-milk can be 

 had cheap, and it may be thus turned to the best account, 

 for horse-flesh is more valuable than that of other animals. 

 If milk is not easily obtained, then the colt may be fed a 

 pint of oats twice a day, in addition to the milk of its 

 dam, if that is too small in quantity. Before the colt is 

 weaned, it is well to teach it to eat a little linseed-meal 

 with its oats. When deprived of the dam's milk this 

 linseed-meal will prevent constipation and furnish a large 

 proportion of muscle-forming food as well as bone material. 

 About one pint of linseed-meal per day will be' sufficient. 

 Another food, which we have used very profitably for the 

 young colt, is linseed or flax-seed. A half-pint of flax- 

 seed boiled in four quarts of water, and then two quarts 

 of bran or oatmeal boiled with it, makes an excellent day's 

 ration for a colt eight months old, given in two parts 

 the oil and the albuminoid^ seem to be in just the right 

 proportion. We have found this ration of flax-seed and 

 oatmeal gruel the best preventative of relaxation or consti- 

 pation of the bowels, both in the colt and the calf. If the 

 colt is in good condition, half the quantity here mentioned 

 is sufficient. The small quantity of oil seems to be very 

 soothing to the alimentary canal, and it gives a smooth, 

 glossy coat. 



FOOD FOE THE DAM. 



The condition and health of the dam has much to do 

 with the health of the colt. Great care should be taken 

 that the dam does not heat her blood, and thus affect the 

 healthfulness of her milk. The milk secretions are very 

 sympathetic with all nervous excitements. This has often 



