328 Western Live-stock Management 



kept on the bunch and more size obtained on the colts 

 by the better feed. In the winter, if the pastures are 

 good, the mares are left out for the larger proportion of 

 the time. When the heavy snows come, they are some- 

 times put up but usually if they will winter through, they 

 are left to do so. It is seldom necessary to feed for a 

 long period in most sections of the West as the horses 

 will paw out bunch-grass except where the snow becomes 

 unusually deep. Hay should always be on hand to take 

 care of this emergency. If the hay is not too high in 

 price, good profit can be made by using some in the winter, 

 as it will insure better condition of the mares and there- 

 fore larger percentage of foals in the spring. 



RANGE STALLIONS 



There are three general methods of handling the range 

 stallion. One is to keep him up and bring the mares to 

 him ; another is to turn him loose upon the range and 

 herd the mares and the stallion ; and the other is to turn 

 the stallion loose with the mares and let them run at will. 

 In the past, the practice of the range was to turn the 

 stallions loose with the mares, but with the advance of 

 the draft sire, it has been found impracticable to do this, 

 as he will not stand range conditions. The large stallion 

 will tear up his feet and not keep in physical condition 

 to do service if turned loose upon the average range. He 

 also costs many times as much as the stallion formerly 

 used and therefore represents a larger investment. Some 

 of the more active of the draft sires will do fairly well 

 if the mares are closely herded so as not to cover too much 

 territory. The system that has been found most satis- 

 factory by the breeders who are using the heavier class 



