The Brood Mare 289 
fed lightly. Medicines and physics should be avoided, 
and if any serious condition arises a veterinarian called. 
The best place, however, for both mare and foal is out in a 
good, rich pasture, unless the weather is extremely bad, 
and even then they should be kept in just as little as 
possible. Scours and other digestive troubles are the 
chief dangers at this time and they are seldom contracted 
in the pasture. 
If it is necessary to work the mare, she should at least 
be given a rest of ten days to two weeks. When first 
started to work the mare should be brought in so as to 
allow the colt to suck during the middle of the forenoon 
and afternoon. After the colt becomes accustomed to 
doing without the mare and her milk, the period may be 
lengthened to the half day periods if the days are not too 
long. If the mare is warm or is a heavy milker, some of 
the fluid should be milked out, or scours and indigestion 
will be produced in the colt. The colt should never be 
allowed milk from hot mares. The mares should be 
allowed to cool to some extent and part of the milk drawn 
before turning with the colt. 
The weaning should be put off as long as possible. This 
usually means until late in the fall. Whether or not the 
mares work, the colts should be taught to eat early and 
by the time they are six months old they will hardly miss 
the mother. Feed put into a colt at this age starts the 
framework of the future horse. <A saving of feed at this 
time will mean a sacrifice in the value of the horse in the 
future. 
STABLES, SHEDS, AND LOTS 
Colts whose mothers must work need other exercise 
than that obtainable in the box stall. Two general 
plans may be adopted. One is a strong, high paddock 
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