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 
