294 Western Live-stock Management 



grain in it while the dam is gone, the colt will soon be 

 eating considerable grain. This will greatly increase the 

 colt's growth, as it is a correct supplement for the mare's 

 milk. The colt will not eat too much if allowed all he 

 wants and if he consumes only one pound of grain a day 

 the same will be a valuable addition to his ration. 



If the mares and colts are on pasture, a creep should be 

 arranged for the colts. This can be put near the salting 

 trough for the mares and in this way the mares will visit 

 it every day and the colts can get under the creep to their 

 grain. This will keep the colts growing through the drier 

 period, when otherwise they would not make any appre- 

 ciable growth. One should not be in a hurry to wean the 

 colt, as the additional milk which the mare gives, even if 

 small, is of benefit to the colt. However, if the mare's 

 milk does not agree with the colt, and he does not seem 

 to thrive on it, it is often well to wean him earlier, and 

 put on a grain ration as heavy as he will stand. Normally 

 it is not advisable to wean the colt until five or six months 

 of age. 



HALTER-BREAKING 



Halter-breaking should be brought about Just as soon as 

 possible. A few minutes' work while the colt is still 

 running with the mare will suffice better than the same 

 number of hours when the colt is two or three years of 

 age. The chief advantage of halter-breaking early in 

 life is not so much that it is accomplished with less effort, 

 but that the colt may be handled in any way desired. If 

 such is the case, he will receive better treatment and 

 better care. If halter-broken, his feet may be properly 

 cared for and crooked legs and deformed feet prevented. 

 Usually no trouble will be experienced in getting the colt 



