The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1916-05-25
GROWING ANIMALS ON THE
FARM 1.os,
No. 8. Growing Horses and Mules.
BY II. A. Sandhouse. Assistant Profes
sor of Animal Hushandry. Uni
yersity of Arkansas

NtISllN Oh Arkansas.
The breeding OF horses and mules is
generally considered as a side issue IN
general farm practice. more so than
in breeding any other class of stock
The majority of farmers raise only a
few colts each year, the number de-
pending somewhat on the number OF
animals used and the nature of the
work required of the mares at foaling
time. Even though we are living in
what might be termed the motor age.
Y ere is still great demand for good
farm and heavy draft horses. which
should be an incentive for the farmer
TO breed more and better horses The
mule is especially adapted to South
ern conditions. having a greater re-
sistance to heat, and they are harder,
more docile and sure-footed than the
horse.
In selecting breeding animals the
average breeder generally selects his
brood mares from his best farm work
mares The brood mare should have
q refined and nsafronly appearance.
and still have sumcient capacity for
the foetus as shown by \ large. deep
ribbed body Since most of the mares
are grades. the relative influence Of
sire and dam - apparently in favor
or the sire
The grade sire may possibly have
good appearance. but. coming from
mixed breeding Of unknown ancestry,
II h hard 10 determine what his colts
Gyn resemble The pure bred will
improve his offspring as the tendency
liz to produce animals like the sire
The characteristics of the mule
mare should be emphasized, since the
mule inherits much OF its form from
the mare She should have size.
weight and good conformation Pc
cause of the generally recognized
comparatively coarse dualitiee OF the
>taok. mule mares shoulG have feAne
ment and quality. Heavy draft mares
are not as desirable as those which
haA some hot ID from the lighter
breeds. such as standard bred or thor
oughbred Too much refinement Will
produce understood mules which are
not as salable for remunerative prices.
The body OF the jack has tendency
TO angularity. and therefore hc should
be mated 10 mares of square, smooth
form 10 overcome this tendency
In order 10 raise colts, the average
farmer must either breed his workine
mares or work his brood mares. The
question which confronts the farmer
is Nv to secure natural conditions for
his mares while at work The mare
nj work is Just as well Of for fresh
air. sunshine and exercise as the mare
In the pasture. but the labor requires
more energy and tissue. building mate
rial in addition 10 that for body up
keep and development OF the foetus
furthermore. she is subject to fatigue
and mechanical injuries. such as Jerk
ing shining. extreme speed and rough
treatment The best way is 10 erad
ually decrease the work so that dur.
ing the last few weeks Of pregnancy
the mare will be doing the nghtest
work The majority of the foals are
,o.sad in the sprtng. which is the
natural time However. If mares are
exnactad 10 do the seasons heavy
work in addition TO raising colt,
N. faI, will hs a better time.
fev DAYS before foaling the grain
..,ior .hou,d no decreased and bran
~ ,,nse.d meal should be fed TO act
laxative and keep the bowels
,oose Al this time. After foaling, the
a., ,.es MAY he bran. and this NAV
,,,,owsh with oats or equal parts
-. Ga ,or IN. AIRS, ten DAYS
rs A.. two active oause. OF
....n 4, v,,ns foals One is due 70
,-,...,,o, IN IN. bowels because OF
,.nr.. - ,.c.,,a sufncient colos,rum.
A., m,,s and u this he the case
". oo,, should be given a tablespoon,
M ~ castor oil and n warm water