The Brood Mare 289 



fed lightly. Medicines and physics should be avoided, 

 and if any serious condition arises a veterinarian called. 

 The best place, however, for both mare and foal is out in a 

 good, rich pasture, unless the weather is extremely bad, 

 and even then they should be kept in just as little as 

 possible. Scours and other digestive troubles are the 

 chief dangers at this time and they are seldom contracted 

 in the pasture. 



If it is necessary to work the mare, she should at least 

 be given a rest of ten days to two weeks. When first 

 started to work the mare should be brought in so as to 

 allow the colt to suck during the middle of the forenoon 

 and afternoon. After the colt becomes accustomed to 

 doing without the mare and her milk, the period may be 

 lengthened to the half day periods if the days are not too 

 long. If the mare is warm or is a heavy milker, some of 

 the fluid should be milked out, or scours and indigestion 

 will be produced in the colt. The colt should never be 

 allowed milk from hot mares. The mares should be 

 allowed to cool to some extent and part of the milk drawn 

 before turning with the colt. 



The weaning should be put off as long as possible. This 

 usually means until late in the fall. Whether or not the 

 mares work, the colts should be taught to eat early and 

 by the time they are six months old they will hardly miss 

 the mother. Feed put into a colt at this age starts the 

 framework of the future horse. A saving of feed at this 

 time will mean a sacrifice in the value of the horse in the 

 future. 



STABLES, SHEDS, AND LOTS 



Colts whose mothers must work need other exercise 

 than that obtainable in the box stall. Two general 

 plans may be adopted. One is a strong, high paddock 



