THE COLT'S TRAINING 89 



ever, helps to keep the colt in order and does no 

 harm. From weaning-time and during the first 

 winter I have had the best success in feeding oats, 

 and the two winters following, oats in the morning 

 and a supper of bran, with a little corn-meal added. 

 It is hard to give any fixed rule as to quantity, as 

 much depends upon the quality of the hay (of 

 which the colt should have all he wants) and also 

 what object the breeder has in view. If his aim 

 is to sell the colt at an early age — say as a year- 

 ling or two-year-old — a very liberal grain ration 

 will, of course, make the colt larger and smoother 

 at that age. But inordinate feeding, even if of 

 so good a grain as oats, is not natural and under 

 ordinary circumstances is unwise. 



It seems almost needless to add that the colt 

 should be wintered in a box stall and also allowed 

 to run out for exercise every day when conditions 

 are suitable. As a necessary part of his training 

 he should be taught to stand quietly in a standing 

 stall and for this purpose he should be tied at 

 first and for a long while thereafter with a rope 

 that he cannot break; but the box stall should be 

 his regular quarters. 



The operation of castration is best performed 

 when the colt is about one year old. I have fre- 

 quently been asked what is the best method. I 

 am rather reluctant to reply to this query be- 



