The Growing Stock 293 



night, but after a short time, he will be able to consume 

 enough milk to carry him through the night. As the 

 colt grows older, the quantity of milk should be gradually 

 increased and the number of feeds decreased, until he is 

 about a month old, when, if he is doing nicely, he may be 

 fed only four or five times a day, and the sugar and lime- 

 water omitted. He should also be taught to drink out 

 of a pail by this time, and the feed gradually increased, 

 although great care must be taken that too much milk is 

 not given, as the result will be scours. Many orphan 

 foals are fed more milk than they need rather than not 

 enough. The orphan foal should be taught to eat grain 

 as early as possible. If a little is added to the bucket with 

 the milk, the colt will soon be munching at it ^^•hen the 

 milk is gone, and in this way will soon be eating grain. 

 Unless the foal is early started on grain, he will generally 

 become pot-bellied, and after such an appearance is 

 acquired, it takes considerable time, good feed and care 

 to overcome it. 



FEEDING THE YOUNG FOALS 



The larger number of horse-men do not take enough 

 pains in starting the colt on grain. This is especially 

 important if the mare is at work. Colts should not be 

 allowed to run with mares when in the field, but if neces- 

 sary the mare should be brought in to allow the colt to 

 suck. After a period of two weeks of this practice, it 

 should not be necessary, as the colt can go from one 

 period to the regular feeding period. If a box is arranged 

 near his mother, and a mixture of rolled oats and bran 

 placed in it, he will soon acquire the habit of nibbling 

 at it while she is eating. If such a box is kept with some 



