Graham guardian., 1908-04-17
Farming News

have a large number of well mated
teams, we have very few minated
hCrses for the market, and what
few do come to maturity are quick
ly purchased at good prices and
are either mated or shipped. In
the last two weeks | have seen
three teams change hands, one sell
ing for $3.50 and one for $500,
while the third brought S490. Can
the farmer afford to produce this
class of horses? 1t is my candid
opinion that there is grand, good
opportunity for farmers ITO make
money easily by raising few
horses each season and marketing
when they have reached maturity.
A great many farmers feel they
cannot afford to raise the class OF
horses that are commanding good
prices on account Of the risk taken
of losing the animal. Now, let us
consider this question from the
standpoint Of economic production
This is what | have gained from
experience. | would rather pay
$40 more for the service of the
best stallion | can find than to use
one that | know is below the aver
age. AS to the additional cost of
maintaining good breeding mares,
| consider this in favor of the
highest grade of stock, because /
have for doing my farm work the
service of the best kind of team
force. 1t will not cost one cent
more for care and feed to raise a
good colt than poor one, II both
are brought to the same stage OF
maturity. If the horse is to be
marketed the colt from the best
will, in nnety-nine cases out of a
hundred, outsell the colt from the
cheaper horse anywhere from $50
TO S125. Now, is not this sufficient
to convince any clear thinking
farmer that the best blood is worth
the cost from the start? 1t is my
opinion, based upon observation
and experience, that if there is any
money or pleasure to be derived
from the raising of horses on the
farm it must come from producing
the very highest type of animal
and the kind that is in demand.
For the farmer who has limit d
area that he can devote to pasture
each season | would recommend
that be raise the heavy class OF
horses. There are several reasons
for tais. In the first place, very
few farmers are borsemen enough
to select and produce the fancy
roadster 1t requires the very best
talent to breed and train horse
that develop into attractive road
sters, and few farmers are adapted
To this undertaking. However,
would not discourage any farmer
from going into the business if he
feels be can produce the class OF
horse that is 10 demand. Second,
the heavy horse is preferable be-
cause there is less risk in the
growth and development of the
young stock. Heavy draft colts
are very quiet and easy to manage
and seldom give trouble about run
ming in the pasture. Third, the
heavy type of horse is what the
farmer himself needs 10 his busi'
ness, aud through constant associa.
tion with this class of stock he be-
comes more proficient in handling
and selecting breeding stock.
My plan Of raising colts is to
breed my working mares during
the months of June, July or August
and keep the mares in the harness
every day OF the year except abou,
two weeks at foaling time. l find
this method of handling mares has
several advantages. ln the frs
place, the raising of colts does not
interfere with my farm work to
any large extent, as the colts are
foaled long after the springs work
is done and before the heavy culu
vahng period is on. Then, too,
fnd that | can raise hetter colts by
keeping my mares in the harness
than | can by turning them out tc
pasture. II the mares are working
every day they get their grain
ration regularly and the milk flow
is more constant and nutritious
As soon US y mare foals she il
turned out for two or three days
on light pasture with her ioal and
allowed to regain her normal con
dltion before being put back int
the harness. During the first fouI
weeks of the colts life he is al
lowed to nurse five times daily
then is allowed to nurse only thre,
times day, with 4 light feed o
bran and oil cake. | do pot be
ieye ip allowing my colts TO ae
company the dam during the work
ius hours of the day. | have buI
stalls with n small paddock udjoir
ing that furnishes exercising spac
where the colts are confined durin
the time the mares are at WORK
Of course it is very necessary +
take great precautions not to ovel