THE PERCHERON REVIEW 
13 
mares left. The other farmer had one bHnd mule 
left out of his investment. This is perhaps an ex- 
ceptional case, but there are very likely hundreds 
of other examples just about as good from the stand- 
point of illustrating the value of a good grade draft 
mare to the shrewd young man on the farm. 
By courtesy of Breeder s Gazette. W. J. Kennedy. 
The Poorly- Fed Colt at the Shows 
One of the most important facts being brought 
out at the colt shows is that the majority of colts 
are not properly fed. In order to obtain the full 
hereditary possibilities of the colt it must be liber- 
ally fed and kept under suitable conditions. 
The horse show affords an excellent opportunity 
for study and comparison. The sucking foal classes 
are in most cases the largest in numbers, ranging 
all the way from 10 or 12 to more than 30 in a 
single class. These spring foals are lined up in the 
show-ring usually before they are weaned or at 
about weaning time. Nearly all of them are still 
A Well Developed Colt 
in excellent growing condition and in large classes 
many of them look as nearly alike to the ringside 
observer as peas in a pod. One not acquainted with 
conditions would naturally believe that since the 
suckling foal classes contain such large numbers the 
yearling classes of the year following would be 
nearly as large. Such is seldom the case. Often 
only about one-third, or even less, of the foals 
shown in the suckling classes are in condition to 
show as yearlings. At shows where the entries run 
up to 150 horses and colts it is common to find only 
from 1 to 5 or 6 colts in the two-year-old draft 
classes. And in the three-year-old classes the well 
fed and well kept imported colt generally lands the 
money. Too many of the yearlings and two-year- 
old colts are not fully developed for their age be- 
cause of underfeeding. Imported horses, liberally 
fed and well cared for reach the greatest growth 
possible for their age. If that were not the case 
importers would not buy them. 
Before weaning foals are usually well nourished 
by their mothers' milk and some grain and hay or 
pasture grass. Soon after weaning time fall work 
begins to crowd the owner and the foal is neglected. 
My experience in feeding colts for many years on 
the farm and at experiment stations has convinced 
me that they must receive grain while they are on 
pasture in order to develop best. Colts of the same 
size and age may be fed collectively in a long feed- 
bunk such as has been used for feeding cattle during 
the winter. For winter feeding the following ration 
will keep them thrifty: 50 per cent corn, 40 per cent 
oats, 10 per cent bran and equal parts of corn silage, 
free from mold, and good clover or alfalfa hay. 
The colts' feet should receive careful attention. 
This is important and can seldom be overlooked 
with impunity in the show-ring. The expert horse 
buyer who buys horses for the city market or for 
shipment to Europe loses no time in turning down 
A Poorly Fed Colt 
one with crooked feet, although the animal may be 
acceptable in other respects. Colts should have 
their feet examined every 6 weeks. While the colt 
is on pasture the feet often do not wear olT" suffi- 
ciently; the horny portion of the hoof becomes too 
long, then finally breaks off on one side and throws 
the slope of the foot out of line with the natural 
slope of the pastern. A pair of sharp pinchers, a 
rasp and a farrier's knife should be kept on hand 
to trim colts' feet whenever they need it. 
With the same breeding, feeding and care the 
American-bred colt will not always be outclassed 
by the imported colt. This fact is being demon- 
strated to our satisfaction more and more each year 
at the large horse shows and state fairs. First- 
class horses that are of proper size and conformation 
with plenty of vigor and endurance are in demand. 
By courtesy of Breeder's Gazette. ]• W. ScHWAB. 
