2g2 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



process depends on the thoroughness of the preparation. 

 The colt that has been accustomed to grain as suggested, 

 and that has been permitted to take increasingly more 

 as he grew, has learned to rely on his own resources. 

 Thus, when the time comes for complete separation from 

 the dam there will be very little if any setback, provid- 

 ing he is given all the grain he likes and is provided with 

 an abundance of fresh drinking water. On the other 

 hand, if the foal must learn to eat after being deprived 

 of the dam's milk, he will require time to get accustomed 

 to the new condition, which will of necessity prove a 



heavy drain upon 

 the system. The new 

 quarters where the 

 weanlings are con- 

 fined should be such 

 that they cannot in- 

 j u r e themselves 

 while fretting over 

 the separation. 



At this time the 

 udder of the mare 

 requires extra at- 

 tention. When it 

 becomes so full as 

 to cause her uneasi- 

 ness, part of the 

 milk should be 

 drawn, but she should not be milked dry. If the milk is 

 all withdrawn it will take longer to dry her. 



Age to wean the foal. — In common practice colts are 

 usually weaned at four to six months of age, depending 

 on the conditions. In the case of mares that have been 

 bred soon after foaling, it is best to wean early, so that 

 they will have time to recuperate and to nourish the 

 fetus. If for any reason the mare or foal are not doing 

 well, it is perhaps best to wean rather early. On the 



Fjc. 139.- 



-Percheron Weanlinc, Well Bred 

 AND Well Fed 



