The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-03-02
AGRICULTURAL.
Raising Colts,
BY j, W. DAVIS, FAIRLKE, VT.
THIRD PAPER.

and hold it on its legs before ii has
naturally gained strength enough to
bear it's own weight, but begin the
colts education and acquaintance by
gently rubbing its head, neck and
shoulders, and handling all parts OF 1t
as soon as it breathes natural and easy
and begins to try to rise. Be very gen.
tie and easy with the mare, avoiding
use of all loud, harsh words or sounds.
Beginning at this time to handle the
little thing, Sin its innocence" accus-
toms 1t at once to your presence and
touch, and if sensibly continued, it will
not be afraid of or malicious toward
you-two most valuable qualities in
colt. Also, at this time the mare will
almost invariably allow it, and appear
pleased to have you handle the colt as
she seems "anxious" about it, until it
can spring up and run at her danger
eignal-a low, sudden snort. Very
frequently, if the mare foals alone and
no one goes near her until the colt is
few days, or even few hours, old the
colt is wild and the mare vicious. Let
the little fellow if on smooth grassy
land, or in good yard or pen with
plenty of straw, founder and tumble
as he may, as long as he grows stronger
and makes progress toward standing
alone; as soon as he does stand up it
may be well to steady him little, still
continuing rubbing and patting him.
BY this time he will have good appe-
tite, and if the mare is kind and likes
him, he will soon help himself to his
natural nourishment. If the mare
kicks, or seems TO have caked bag, or
sore teats, as the colt attempts to nurse,
do not scold her or whip her, or in any
way excite her; but carefully hitch her
with halter sure to hold, and strap up
her forward foot on the side you and
the colt wish to work, as described later
in educating the colt. Then apply q
very little vaseline-or fresh lard will
do-to the teats-, and the bag, also, if it
is caked or swollen; carefully with
thumb and finger start the milk little;
gently work the colt up and get little
of the milk in it's mouth and teach him
to help himself If the mare has kick
ed or bitten the colt, few times, it
may sometimes require quite little
tact and patience, and may need sew.
eral repetitions, until soreness is out of
the mares teats and she then likes her
colt better. OF course, if the colt is
weak and does not soon gain strength
enough to get up alone he must be
helped. Don't let him die. If he can
not get up, don't let him 60 over two
hours without nourishment, but, if the
mare has any milk, milk little in
dish, feed it to the colt with spoon,
and repeat often. If the mare has no
milk, and cows milk must be used, add
an equal quantity of water sweetened
with sugar; also add very little
brandy or whiskey. Had this not been
done with the now world renowned
George Wilkes, that greatest of all
speed progenitors, would never have
been heard of.
Now little more attention to the colt
that gets up alone and seems all right.
See that he urinates and voids all right
within the first few hours, and the next
few days. If costive and "straining"
he will soon be past help if not relieved.
Carefully anoint the dried and affected
parts with vaseline or lard, and if in
clined while yet very young to scour,
milk out part of the mare's milk sew
eral times day 30 the foal will not get
enough 10 overload and derange its
stomach and bowels. If colt scours
badly until it grows weak, loses appe-
tite, ETC., competent veterinary can
prescribe a proper dose of some ap-
proved remedy. We have saved sew
eral colts by giving tablespoonful of
pure pine tar, repeating the dose in two
hours, and again in four hours from
second dose, continuing at four hour
intervals until symptoms are favorable.
This is very difficult dose to admins
Ter to sucking foal, and if not nicely
done makes very bad job. If not put
well back in the throat and swallowed
it will bedaub the colts tongue, mouth
and lips and almost prevent it from
sucking afterward. Our way of doing
this is to take beer bottle, or small
and strong one of similar shape with
long neck; put in half cupfull of hot
water and shake we'll 30 as to wet the
whole inner surface of the bottle; have
the tar heated in dish and put the
spoonful in the bottle Of hot water
adding little for what will stick to the
bottle-and continue shaking violently
until just cool enough to be comfortable
for colt to take. We have never lost 9
colt under this treatment, and shall
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