Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-01-11
CARING FOR 6501D
MALES AID FOALS.
BY e. A. TroWbridge, Assistant
Professor OF Animal Husbsndry,
College Of Agriculture. Univer-
sity Of Missouri.


should be given moderate, but steady
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 be worked.
Good oats four parts and bran one
part. along with mixed hay Glover
and timothy which has been we'll
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. 1t is good
plan to feed rather sparingly for two
or three days just before parturition,
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 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
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 scrupulously clean, the
navel should be tied and treated with
strong disinfectant, such as solu-
ton of carbolc acid.
II the season of the year and other
existing conditions permit, mares may
well be allowed to foal on grass, which
lessons the danger of infection.
In developing the youngsters, the
first question to be settled is when to
start feeding them?" The answer to
this question varies with the condi-
tons. If the foal comes in the spring,
it may well do without grain for the
earlier part of the season, provided
the mother is free mixer" not re-
quired as work horse, and allowed
the run of 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 pastures,
for the scant supply of grass and
milk must be supplemented by grain.
II there is only small number Of
mares, say three or four, in the pas
| ture, the feed boxes may be arranged
far enough apart to prevent any fight
| ing. IL the number of mares is larger,
or there are horses in the pasture for
which the increased ration is not de-
sired, then the mares should be taken
up to be fed 1t is here that the foal
will learn to eat 1t has learned to
eat grass by running in the pasture
with its mother, and will soon learn
to uibble grain from the feed box II
given the chance. At first, only a
small amount Of grain will he required
to satisfy it's appetite, but very soon
an extra allowance must he made.
This should be gradually increased
Until weaving time.
Now if II is necessary for the mar"
10 work while Sucking her foal, the
rroposition will DO somewhat different
Having had two or three weeks rest
afyer foaling, she may be put back in
TO the harness. at first doing only
light work. and for only half a day al
time The foal should he allowed IL
nurse once in the middle of the half
day for the first week
While the mare is at work, the foa
should be kept in roomy, clean, wei
lighted stall or paddock. If possible
two or more foals shnnld be kept il
: the paddock together. wnere they sool
: become acquainted, and are muc!
company for each other.
Great care should be taken not t
let the foal nurse while the marc i
too warm. She should be MIXED near
" dry on coming to the stable, left T.
: cat hay until cool enough for drinl
: of water. then taken to her own stal
to eat her grain, and to allow the foa
; to suckle. Either too much milk a
; one time. or milk from the dam whe
: in heated condition. may lead to ser
GUS results.
The foal will learn TO eat in yer
: short time. and when left alone shoul
: have fresh sweet grain and buckle
of fresh water always in the stal