522 A HISTORY OF THE PERCHEKON HORSE 



"Brood mares should have plenty of exercise. 

 Much the best plan is to work them, feeding clean, 

 nourishing feed, so that when the foals come they 

 may be strong and well. With proper cleanliness 

 and disinfection the loss should be very small. 



"The feeding and care of the foals after weaning 

 is almost as important as the selection of the sire 

 and dams. ,The foals should be weaned at five 

 months old, having had oats for four months 

 prior to weaning time. After weaning they 

 should have the run of a grass paddock, when 

 flies are not bad, and be fed liberally on grain. We 

 have never been in favor of over-feeding either 

 stallions or colts, but there is little danger in giving 

 too much grain the first year. After that feed them 

 liberally, but not all that they will eat. Many good 

 colts have been ruined by over-feeding. It is advi- 

 sable to let from two to six stallions run together 

 until two and one-half years old; then separate them. 



"It is next to impossible to over-feed a colt running 

 on grass. The feed given them then will give the 

 best results, but when they are taken up greater 

 care should be used in the selection of feeds. And 

 always give plenty of exercise. The word exercise 

 should be strong in the mind of every breeder of 

 Percherons. Without it one grows a small-boned, 

 soft-muscled, blemished colt. And if the mature 

 stallions do not get exercise and plenty of it, they 

 soon become non-breeders and the colts they do sire 

 will be weaklings. 



"The beginner in Percheron breeding, who begins 

 right and then follows it with judicious care and 

 feeding, will find his undertaking both interesting 

 and_ profitable. Besides that, he is conferring a 

 lasting benefit to the community in which he lives." 



J. 0. Singmaster. — Out of his long experience as 



