The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1905-08-24
The Farm
sILAs cHEBvBR MASON, RditOr
Breeding and Care Of Colts.

has the halter on as early as the
third day, and often before he is ~
hours old; is taught to have his feet
lifted and TO be groomed with a good
brush, never neglecting the tail. |
have known three or four year-old
colts to positively refuse to allow the
tail to be combed, but did not
raise them. These lessons are easily
learned now, and never forgotten,
and save lots OF trouble later AT
two weeks he should be perfectly
halter broken and understand the
meaning of whoa" and back" also
accustomed TO have ropes or straps
wound about his body and legs, and
in place Of the crupper; this may
save kicking scrape later on. He is
made thoroughly TO understand that
mans strength-and woman's, too,
for that matter is superior TO his,
but the children are not TO attempt
TO coerce him, for fear that he should
escape from them and lay the foun-
dation OF bad habit in future. In
teaching to lead we do not find il
the best way TO attempt TO drag him
along 10y the head, but walk by his
side and coax or even push him
along, turning to either side until he
learns to follow the halter. II he
wishes to try his strength at the line
once or twice hold firmly until he is
satisfied that il will not give way.
Sometimes little touch of whip at
his heels works well, but never for a
minute lose your temper; always pet
and praise him. Remember the
best horse is always companionable
and friendly, with perfect confidence
in his master. In his early days,
when any leading is to be done, the
halter goes on the baby aud the
mother follows. After the foal is
two OF three days old he is allowed
plenty of exercise in large yard or
nearby field, but never allowed TO
lie down on cold or damp ground
after becoming heated. Like all
young things, he must be kept warm,
or trouble will follow. Even after
turning to pasture he is not left out
through a cold rain-it is neither
humane nor safe.
WEASINo TME.--If the mare keeps
in good condition, which she should
do ON good pasture, she runs with
her COLI until stabling time in the
Fall; il saves trouble, and the colt
makes better growth. Even il she
is worked it pays to feed her an ex-
ira grain ration, and not wean the
colt until six months old. When at
any time the mare and colt are sep
arated each is put in a box stall
which has no nails, splinters or sharp
corners 10 injure them. Colts will
sometimes attempt to crawl through
impossible holes, or over partitions
which are not built 10 the top. For
the first few days of weaving time
the colt is allowed with the mare for
a short time at morning and night;
then oace each day, gradually max.
ing the visits less frequent until he
is kept away entirely The best Of
hay--preferably clover rowen to be-
gin with is kept before him all the
time, also pail of bran and oats
mixed, equal parts by measure, with
a little salt. Plenty Of water at least
twice a day. You can't winter a colt
ON the north side Of the straw stack
aud expect him to "do you proud" in
the Spring. He gets apples and po-
tatoes often, and sometimes a nubbin
of corn, and is never expected to
clean up his hay. What he leaves is
given to the older horses.
THE CoLr's EDucArIoN.-H He is
taught to stand tied while his hair is
Strengthened every day; we find an
ordinary cattle card the best for this
purpose when the hair is long and
thick. His feet are cleaned often,
and kept level, with toes short. This
requires very little time, and helps
him to grow up right. OF course he
has exercise with the others in the
field, although he is not let out when
there is ice covered with little snow.
Sometimes, when he is taken out to
be groomed, bride is slipped on
over the halter, and he soon becomes
accustomed to the bit. He is easily
taught so drive this first Winter, and
often his first lessons are taken with
a pair of lines snapped into the hal
ter ring aud passed back through
loops well down on the sides of a
surcingle. After he has learned ON
the harm floor, TO 60 before, TO turn
TO the right or left and to stop at the