294 Western Live-stock Management 
grain in it while the dam is gone, the colt will soon be 
eating considerable grain. This will greatly increase the 
colt’s growth, as it is a correct supplement for the mare’s 
milk. The colt will not eat too much if allowed all he 
wants and if he consumes only one pound of grain a day 
the same will be a valuable addition to his ration. 
If the mares and colts are on pasture, a creep should be 
arranged for the colts. This can be put near the salting 
trough for the mares and in this way the mares will visit 
it every day and the colts can get under the creep to their 
grain, This will keep the colts growing through the drier 
period, when otherwise they would not make any appre- 
ciable growth. One should not be in a hurry to wean the 
colt, as the additional milk which the mare gives, even if 
small, is of benefit to the colt. However, if the mare’s 
milk does not agree with the colt, and he does not seem 
to thrive on it, it is often well to wean him earlier, and 
put on a grain ration as heavy as he will stand. Normally 
it is not advisable to wean the colt until five or six months 
of age. 
HALTER-BREAKING 
Halter-breaking should be brought about just as soon as 
possible. A few minutes’ work while the colt is still 
running with the mare will suffice better than the same 
number of hours when the colt is two or three years of 
age. The chief advantage of halter-breaking early in 
life is not so much that it is accomplished with less effort, 
but that the colt may be handled in any way desired. If 
such is the case, he will receive better treatment and 
better care. If halter-broken, his feet may be properly 
cared for and crooked legs and deformed feet prevented. 
Usually no trouble will be experienced in getting the colt 
