120 MANUAL OF FAEM ANIMALS 



will require time to get used to the new condition, and the 

 mare will demand special care because of the removal of 

 the colt before her milk supply has been diminished to any 

 extent. 



Foals are usually weaned at four to six months of age, depend- 

 ing on conditions. If the mare was bred soon after f oahng and 

 conceived, it is best to wean the foal early, so that the mare will 

 have time to recuperate and nourish the fetus. If for any 

 reason mare and foal are not doing well, it is perhaps best to 

 wean comparatively early. If, on the other hand, the mare has 

 a full flow of milk and her services are not needed, there is no 

 reason for weaning the foal under six months of age. When 

 dam and foal are separated, it is better for both that the separa- 

 tion be complete. If, after both have become reconciled to the 

 separation, they are permitted to see, hear, or smell each other 

 again, all that has been gained is lost, and it will be necessary 

 to begin over again. Care should also be taken to see that 

 the new quarters where the weanlings are confined are so con- 

 structed and arranged that they cannot injure themselves 

 while fretting over the separation. 



At this time the food and the udder of the mare require extra 

 attention. Work the mare right along if she has been at work, 

 but reduce her grain ration till she is dried off. When the udder 

 becomes so full as to cause her uneasiness, part of the milk 

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

 is all withdrawn each time, it will take longer to dry her. 



Skimmed milk may still be given to the colt, especially if it 

 is not in good condition to enter the winter. Clean, sound oats 

 well ground constitute the best of all grains for the weanUng. 

 As cold weather approaches, one-fourth in weight of corn meal 

 maybe added, as it helps to produce fat and keeps up the animal 

 heat. If to this a little oil meal, say a half pint a day, is added, 

 the weanling will make good gains in spite of the cold weather 

 and the fact that it has just been separated from its mother. 



