532 A HISTORY OF THE PERCHEEON HORSE 



grained into gaining condition and are hardened by 

 proper exercise or work are ready for spring labor; 

 also they are in condition to be bred. The prevailing 

 practice among breeders of live stock other than 

 horses is to have all the young come at about the 

 same time, so that they can all be carried along and 

 finally sent to market together. For obvious rea- 

 sons this does not work out well in the foal crop. 

 Where several mares are on a farm for the dual 

 purpose of farm work and raising foals, the farm 

 work is less interrupted and the foals can be given 

 better care and attention if the entire foal crop 

 does not make its appearance at once. Practically 

 every farmer can take care of one or two early foals, 

 say of March or even late February foaling, if he 

 wants to. The early foal, like the early calf or pig, 

 has an advantage over the younger things- when 

 fall comes and it is time to show or sell. If, how- 

 ever, one is not equipped and lacks the energy to 

 care for foals in the early days of the year, then 

 by all means let him arrange to have the foals come 

 at grass time. For the many this will be the more 

 favorable time. 



"If one wants to make some preparation for the 

 early foals, it is all very simple and inexpensive. 

 A small building containing two boxstalls, each 18 

 by 20 feet, separated by a space 6 feet wide, serves 

 every purpose. The south half-end of the space 

 may be inclosed to make a very comfortable place 

 for a man to wait for the expected newcomer. The 

 building should face south, and entirely across the 

 front should run a strip of 4- or 6-pane window 

 sash, so that every bright hour may bathe the stalls 

 m sunshine. This simple structure should be placed 

 a short distance from other buildings and away 

 from other horses. Adjoining it should be provided 



