Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-29
ABOUT FALL COLTS.
a Wisconsin Horse-Bresder Gives Hi
Views Regarding Them.


Views Regarding Them.
Custom seems to have fixed the proper
time of birth for colts in the spring. II
seems doubtful, writes John NJ True in the
Breeders Gazette, whether any special ad-
vantage, as general rule, over the fall
season is obtained from an observance OF
this plan, while some very strong reasons
may be presented in favor of the latter
time. In this vicinity, where our farmers
are largely engaged in the raising of draft
horses, an increasingly strong feeling in
favor of fall colts is noticeable.
Among the reasons contributing to this
practice may be mentioned the following:
Less interference with the performance OF
farm work when part of the mares foal in
the fall than when all drop their colts
eA'lier in the season. If the foal is to be
born the last of September, or from the first
to the middle of October, the mare is in
good condition for spring work, haying,
harvesting and early fall blowing. The
regular work given the brood mare during
the spring and summer Is in the line Of ex-
erclse, so essential to successful breeding,
and to want of which very much of fail
ure in winter handling and spring breeding
is attributable. The feed during the sum-
mer, being either succulent or new and
fresh, is better adapted to the requirements
of the brood mare than that usually fur
nished during the winter.
From advantages already mentioned of
exercise and feed furnished the mare, the
fall colt at birth is less subject TO general
weakness and crookedness, as well as that
great destroyer of spring foals-costive-
ness. The strong colt, nourished by the
full flow of milk at this season, with the
dam in vigorous condition and free from the
danger of overheating so general in warmer
months, at once takes on thrifty growth,
and by the time winter sets in is in good
condition to meet all necessary exposure to
cold. The colt early learns to eat hay and
grain, which should be literally provided,
and with plenty of daily exercise all the
conditions are met for promoting rapid, IN
interrupted growth.
The colt weaned when about six months
old, soon after goes upon grass upon nearly
equal footing with the spring yearling, and
IN my experience at two years old is the
equal in form and size of his spring cousin.
which had the seeming advantage of six
months lead in the start of life Among
my horses at present is high grade Per
cheron fall colt that, handled as l have
stated above, at twenty-five months of age
weighs fourteen hundred pounds.
attribute this satisfactory growth to his
having been allowed to grow without HIN.
drance or pull-back, so often met by the
spring colt upon the farm. When six
months old he was weaned and soon after
went upon good pasture without grain.
and has since been treated like my other
colts.
The dam of the fall colt having been lib
orally fed during the winter, is ready fol-
farm work in the spring. While l would
not advocate an exclusive raising of fall
colts, I do think that the breeding of a large
portion of our mares for foals at this season
would contribute to convenience of farm
work as well as give US more live, strong
colts at birth, and more steady and complete
development afterward.