The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-11-12

NJ all times should be kept clean and
well bedded. but particular care
should be taken regarding these de-
tails at the time OF p%arturition. III
truly known, the source of naval
trouble in foals is generally due to
a dirty stable or yard. AS a safe
guard against naval disease" besides
the scrupulouSly clean stall, the naval
should be tied and treated with a
strong disinfectant, such as a soiu-
ton of carbolic acid.
In developing the youngsters the
first question to be settled is when
10 start feeding them The answer
IN this question varies with conditions.
If the foal comes in the spring it may
do well without grain for the earlier
part of the season, provided the moth
er is a free mixer" not required as
a regular work horse and allowed to
run on a good pasture of bluegrass
or clover and timothy. However, a
small grain ration for both mare and
foal will aid materially in the develop
ment of the latter. The foals should
be given a chance to learn to eat
grain before the season of poor pas
lures. for the scant supply of grass
and milk must be supplemented by
grain.
If there is only q small number Of
mareS-Sav. three or four-in the pas
ture. the feed boxes may be arranged
far enough apart To prevent any fight
ing. If the number of mares Is larger,
or there are horses in the pasture
for which the increased ration is not
! desired, then the mares should be
taken up' to be fed. 1t is here that
the foal will learn to eat. 1t has learn
ed TO eat grass by running in the pas
ture with its mother, and will soon
learn to nibble grain from the feed
box, if given the chance. At first
only a small amount of grain will be
needed to satisfy its appetite, but
very soon an extra allowance must be
made. This should be gradually in
creased until weaving time.
! Now, if it is necessary for the mare
TO work while sucking her foal, the
proposition will be somewhat different
Having had two or three weeks rest
after foaling, she may be put back
into the harness. ut first only working
at light work, and for a half day at q
time. The foal should be allowed tC
nurse once in the middle of the hal
day for the first week. While the
mare is at work il should be left IL
a roomy, clean and we'll lighted stall
or paddock, whore there is absolutely
no chanc Tor ir to injure itself. L
possible, tvs ~ h.Gre fOals should be
kept III the paddock together where
they will soon become acquainted anC
are much company for one another
Great care should be taken not to le
the foals nurse when the mare is toe
warm. She should be MIXED nearl!
dry on coming to the stable, left t
eat hay until cool enough for a drinl
of water. then taken to her own stal
to eat her grain and allow the foa
to suckle. Either too much milk a
one time. Or milk from the dam whel
in heated condition. may lead to ser
ious results. The foal will learn t
eat in a very short time, and when lef
alone should have sweet, fresh grain
and a bucket of fresh water Away
in the stall. The mare should sool
be able TO work all day, and both sh,
and her offspring will become &C
customed to this routine. The grain
allowance should be made ample 70
both of them until weaving time.
What to feed is the next question
for consideration. and a very impol
tant m The food should be of sue
a character as to supply material TO
the making of bone and muscle.
is not fat we desire in the youn
horse, but rather growth-that is, de
yelopment of frame and muscl
throughout.
AS yet oats is recognized as tn
standard horse feed the country owe
and should constitute the basis of tn
ration for both foal and the mare
AS a ration upon which to start foal
crushed oats and bran mixed tcgcthc
with a very little salt will be satisfaC
tory. AS the foal grows the crushe,
oats may be changed for whole oat
and a small amount of ground corn ad
ded. A ration of corn and oats, one
half each by weight, does well, blu
the bran helps regulate the digestion
They relish the whole oats, as will b
evidenced by the fact that the bral
is frequently found remaining afte
the oats have been eaten. The onl.
objection of whole oats to young foal
is that they are not easily digeste,
as crushed oats. If the mares an,
foals are. running on pasture Their
will be no need of roughage, but
they are kept up a very little greer
feed, clover or alfalfa hay put wher
the foals can eat it at their leisur
will be helpful.
Then until weaving time oats, bran
corn grass and mothers milk consti
tute a very efficient ration. The corr
may be omitted entirely without dc
preciating the value of the ration, bu
its comparative low cost warrants it
limited use.
The amount of feed is a question
which needs very little discussion