The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-07-24
r7zz HORSE,
llI3.R, BE y E.ES.j'S',.J

Timely warning of the mares APP
preaching parturltion is usually given
by the accumulation of the character
istic wax on the end of her dugs, says
The Breeders Gazette. When that APP
pears, the foal may be expected very
soon. We have known mares to work
all day in the harness and shortly
after coming home at evening lie down
and bring forth healthy foals. We
have even known them to foal at noon
when not so minutes out of the harrow
chains, but as a rule it will be better
to let the mare have some rest before
she brings forth her foal
Every sensible man will keep track
of the day ON which each mares elev-
enth month is up If she shows by
the loosening away of the bones, even
II she is not waXed, that she is very
close to her foaling, give her Il COM
Portable box to herself and feed her
less heavily, but on the same sort of
soft food she had before being retired.
She should have some exercise every
day, and she should also be turned out
by herself. Often mares have been
seriously injured by being turned into
wet dirty, slippery yards at such
times. See that the yard is smooth and
dry and that there is nothing to plague
the mare. Keep her as quiet as pos
sible, and without letting her know it
keep an eye on her all the while.
When the hour of foaling is obvious
ly close at hand do not stay right
with the mare" The writer has known
a mare to be sedulously watched all
night long by a too conscientious boy
and drop her foal in the morning when
he went to get his breakfast. Some
one ought to be near her, but she
ought not to know it. Assistance must
of course be rendered if necessary, but
the mare should have first the opportu-
nifty to get through with it herself.
After she is through and up on her feet
again she will start to work on the
foal, and the first thing she will crave
most likely will be drink of water,
which should be given her. not perhaps
in great quantities, but literally and
with the chill off. Later let her have
something to eat, and let it be soft and
very nourishing.
Breaking Colts.
All colts should be broken to lead
and should be accustomed to have Their
feet and legs handled so that they will
stand to have their feet trimmed, says
4. p. Moren. Every colt should be
broken to harness by the time it is
years old, for as a rule the older they
get the harder they are to break. OF
course n colt 3 years old should not be
compelled to do the work that a ma
tured horse can do, but when worked
their muscles will be fuller, harder and
of better tone, and you will see the colt
gain in muscular strength and general
stoutness and every day become more
and more a horse. Every good sized,
sound, healthy 3-year-old colt should
be capable of earning his keep, and If
he is not capable of doing so he is not
bred as he should be, or else he has
not been properly fed and cared for
1t certainly is not good farm economy
to allow the colts to run idle until they
are or 6 years old.
Shoes For Farm Horses.
Farm horses should go barefooted
until there is necessity for shoeing to
preserve the hoof. Like farm boys,
they should wear no shoes except on
special occasions until they are about
IA years old. Many horses can serve
q lifetime on the farm without being
shod.
Breed Good Horses.
1t is within the reach of every farm
er to breed good horses.