330 Western Live-stock Management 



other hand, some of those that are better fed in the winter 

 on some alfalfa or wild hay will often attain a weight of 

 1300 to 1400 pounds, but it is seldom deemed advisable to 

 feed hay in winter unless the horses absolutely need it. 

 Horses that are raised in this manner will often increase 

 in weight after they are put to work in other sections, 

 especially if they are fed heavily on grain and leguminous 

 hay. 



The only time that the young stock are caught up is 

 when they are branded and castrated. The castration 

 is usually performed as yearlings, as the colts become a 

 nuisance if allowed to go a longer time. As the horses 

 are not handled until they reach maturity except as above 

 mentioned, they are rather wild, but if they are from the 

 draft sires, which are coming into use more and more, 

 they do not require nearly the amount of gentling that 

 will be needed if they are from hot-blooded stallions. 

 The system of gentling in general practice has been given 

 in another chapter. It is a common practice to sell the 

 colts any time after they are four or five years of age, 

 depending on general market conditions and the growth 

 of the colts. They are rounded up, inspected by the 

 owner or buyer, and any not fit are turned back on the 

 range to grow or to develop more if they have it in them. 

 The ones that are needed for use are cut out and broken. 

 Some ranchers use the buckaroo method of breaking, 

 while others go at it more systematically and try to gentle 

 and win the confidence of the horses. The latter method 

 is growing in favor. 



CONTROL OF RANGE STALLIONS 



An important problem with the range horse-men is 

 the control of range stallions. The breeders who are 



