The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1911-04-08
CARING FOR 8ROOD
Mares ANO F0AlS
BY { a. T%rowbrtdge Assistant
Professor Of Animal Husbsndry
College VI Agriculture UnlVsr
sity Of Missouri

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work. They should not be given work
which requires the backing OF heavy
loads. Or where there is chance Of
slipping But breeding mares can and
should he worked.
Good oats four parts and bran one
part. along with mixed hay %(clover
and timothy which has been well
cured, makes excellent rations The
rule OF one pound Of grain and one
pound OF hay to every hundred pounds
live weight is a good rule to use as a
basis for feeding, considering also the
variation Of individuals. AS the period
OF pregnancy advances, the ration will
need to be increased somewhat. Dur
ing pregnancy particular attention
should be given to the digestive appar-
atus OF the mares. They should be
gaining IN condition. and bowels loose
at the time Of parturition It is a good
plan to feed rather sparingly for two
or three days just before parturiuon
and the ration at that time should con
sist largely of bran After |parturition
1t should be increased to meet the
needs Of the mare and foal.
Mares should be given a box stall at
least four weeks before they are due
to foal. in order that they may become
accustomed to it, and may also have a
place large enough to be comfortable
during the night. The stall should at
all times be kept clean and well bed
ded, but especially so at the time of
parturition If truly known, the source
of navel trouble in foals is generally
due to a dirty stable or yard. AS a
safeguard against navel disease" be.
sides being s%crupulously clean, the
navel should be tied and treated with
3 a strong disinfectant, such as a solu.
r ton of carbolic acid.
I If the season Of the year and other
n existing conditions permit, mares may
. well be allowed to foal on grass, which
a lessons the danger OF infection.
s In developing the Youngsters, the
n first question to be settled is when to
start feeding them?" The answer to
n this question varies with the condi
s tions If the foal comes in the spring,
h it may well do without grain for the
g earlier part of the season, provided
the mother is 20 free mixer not re.
uuircd as q work horse, and allowed
the RIM u a good pasture Of bluegrass
or clover aud timothy. However, a
small grain ration for both mare aud
foal will aid materially in the develop
ment of the latter. The loals should
be given a chance to learn to eat grain
before the season of poor pastures
for the scant supply OF grass ant
milk must be supplemented by grain
II there is only a small number o
mares, say three OF four, in the pas
ture. the feed boxes may be ARRANGED
far enough apart to prevent any fight
ing. II the number of mares is larger
or there are horses in the pasture fol
which the increased ration is not de
sired, then the mares should be takeI
I'D to be fed II is here that the foa
will learn to eat 1t has learned t.
eat grass bv running in the pastur,
with its mother, and will soon lear
n nibbIc grain from the feed box /
given thc chance At first. only
small amorrt of grain will he require.
=, safety it's annette brt very 500.
an cvtra allowance must no mad,
rbis shor,d me- gradually increase
NTH yo5rirq rm,
Now II if is necessary far the mar
rorl. ,,ni,o sr.lIn,. her roal Nh
r~ronosit'on win l. el-.wNat I,.clou
! uo'tna b,d t,, Oh. ,r.ea weeks rc.
| .ftor f]o,liro she m,, me- NUT hack i,
90 +ha hornoss o., r,.t doing nnl
Tnht n.o,r orI rn, ,r,y half % d,, .
So Tr, ~, Pow, a.
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re wa" 1,hno tho r,a., il. a. ,,orl tn. ro
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