Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-07-09
GROWING ANIMALS ON THE
 FARM
No. 6. Growing Horses and Mules. By H. A. Sandhouse, Assistant Profes- sor of Animal Husbandry, Uni
 versity of Arkansas.

sor of Animal Husbandry, Uni
 versity of Arkansas.
 The breeding of horses and mules is generally considered as side issue in general farm practice, more so than in breeding any other class of stock. The majority of farmers raise only 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, there 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 hardier, 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 refined and matronly appearance. and still have sufficient 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 is apparently in favor or the sire.
 The grade sire may possibly have a good appearance, but, coming from mixed breeding of unknown ancestry, it is hard to determine what his colts will resemble. The pure bred will improve his offspring as the tendency is to produce animals like the sire.
 The characteristics of the mule mare should be emphasized, since the mule inherits much of it's form from the mare. She should have size, weight and good conformation. Be- cause of the generally recognized comparatively coarse qualities of the jack. mule mares should have refine ment and quality. Heavy draft mares are not as desirable as those which have some hot blood from the lighter breeds, such as standard bred or thor oughbred. Too much refinement will produce undersized mules, which are not as salable for remunerative prices. The body of the jack has a tendency to angularity, and therefore he should be mated to mares of square, smooth form to overcome this tendency.
 In order to raise colts, the average farmer must either breed his working mares or work his brood mares. The question which confronts the farmer 1 is how to secure natural conditions for his mares while at work. The mare at work is just as we'll off 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 to that for body up- keep and development of the foetus. Furthermore, she is subject to fatigue and mechanical injuries, such as jerk ing, slipping, extreme speed and rough ually decrease the work so that dur ing the last few weeks of pregnancy the mare will be doing the lightest work. The majority of the foals are foaled in the spring, which is the natural time However, if mares are expected to do the seasons heavy work in addition to raising a colt. the fall will be a better time.
 A few days before foaling the grain ration should be decreased and bran or linseed meal should be fed to act as a laxative and keep the bowels loose .at' this time. After foaling, the first feed may be bran, and this may
 be followed with oats or equal parts by bulk of corn and bran, feeding a
 light feed for the first ten days.
 There are two active causes ot death in young foals. One is due to
 impaction in the bowels because ot failure to receive sufficient colostrum
 or first milk, and if this be the case
 the colt should be given tablespoon ful of castor oil and a warm water
 navel infection before the navel heals over. Give plenty of clean, dry bed l ding and dip the stump of the navel
 cord in saturated solution of borit acid, which will prevent infection. : The feeding of the colt should be
 gin as early as possible, as the foal
 makes more than half of it's entire growth during the first year. Fol } bone and muscle forming feeds, blue grass pasture and oats has no supe rior. Corn, barley, kafir, etc., may be : fed if properly balanced with legume :, hays, which have lime for bone growth.
 , While the mare is at work the foa . should be locked up in good bo, ? stall or yard, where it cannot hurt it ! self. While the foal is real young, the :, mare should be brought in in the , middle of the forenoon and afternoon : to allow the foal to suck If the mare l is warm and fretting. milk out par, of the milk, as it will injure the foal ! especially if the mare is not brought