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Show RAISING A COLT. A colt is regarded as an incumbrance, because he is useless until he arrives at a suitable age for work; but it really costs very little, compared with his value, to raise a colt. When the period arrives at which the colt can do service, the balance sheet will show in his favor, for young horses always command good prices if they are sound and well broken. One of the difficulties in the way is the incumbrance placed on the dam, which interferes with her usefulness on the farm, especially if the colt is foaled during the early part of the spring. Some farmers have their colts foaled in the fall; but this is open to two objections. In the first place, spring is the natural time, for then the grass is beginning to grow, and Nature seems to have provided that most animals should bring forth their young in a season beyond the reach of severe cold and with sufficient time to grow and be prepared for the following winter. Again, when a colt is foaled in the fall, he must pass through a period of several months' confinement in the stable, without exercise, or else be more or less chilled with cold from time to time. Should this happen, the effect of any bad treatment will be afterward manifested and no amount of attention can again elevate the colt to that degree of hardiness and soundness of body that naturally belongs to a spring colt. Besides, a colt foaled in the spring will outgrow one foaled in the fall. An objection to spring colts may be partially overcome by plowing in the fall, or keeping the brood mares for very light work, with the colts at liberty to accompany them always. A colt needs but very little feeding if the pasture is good and there is water running through it. He needs then only a small feed of oats at night, no corn; and, if he is given hay, it is not necessary to give him a full ration. What he will consume from the barn will not be one-third his value when he is three years old, and if he is well-bred the gain is greater. When a farmer raises his horses, he knows their disposition, constitution, and capacity. It is the proper way to get good, sound, serviceable horses on the farm. It should not be overlooked that a colt must be tenderly treated from birth and must be fondled and handled as much as possible. He should never hear a harsh word, but should be taught to have confidence in everybody he sees or knows. This is an easy matter if his training begins from the time he is a day old. He can be thus gradually broken without difficulty and will never be troublesome. No such thing as a whip should be allowed in a stable that contains a colt. Colts should not be worked until three years old, and then lightly at first, as they do not fully mature until they are six years old, and with some breeds of horses even later. Mares with foals at there side should be fed on the richest and most nourishing food.-Philadelphia Record. |