The Springdale news., 1916-04-28
GROWING ANIMALS ON THE
FARM s.gg
No. 8. Growing Horses and Mules.

SOl vi 1iiiiiidi - III
versity of 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.
Tho 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 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 matronly appearance.
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
1t 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 its 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
nent and quality. Heavy draft mares
have some hot blood from the lighter
breeds, such az 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
10 angularity, and therefore he should
De mated to mares of square, smooth
form to overcome this tendency.
In order to raise colts, the average
'armer must either breed his working
mares or work his brood mares, The
leslie. which confronts the farmer
aao secure natural conditions for
now tov while at work. The mare
his mares list as we'll off for fresh
1t work is it, xereise as the mare
AT, sunshine anu efA labor requires
n the pasture, but the ilding mate
more energy and tissue-bu- body up.
-ial in addition to that for .oatus
reep and development of the /. !.
Furthermore, she is subject to fatigue
md mechanical injuries, such as jerk
ng, slipping, extreme speed and rough
treatment. The best way is to grad
1allv decrease the work so that dur
ng the last few weeks of pregnancy
he mare will be doing the lightest
work. The majority Of the foals are
toaled in the spring. which is the
natural time. However, If mares are
expected to do the seasons heavy
work in addition TO raising colt
he fall will be a better time
A few DAYS before foaling the grain
,ation should be decreased and bran
Or Hnseed meal should be fed TO act
rs a laxative and keep the bowels
Dose at this time After foaling, the
irst feed may be bran, and this may
Dc followed with oats or equal parts
,y bulk of corn and bran, feeding q
light feed for the first ten days.
There are two active causes OF
ieath in young foals. one is due tc
mpaction in the bowels because Of
allure TO receive sufficient colostrum
Or first milk, and if this be the case
HE colt should be given tablespoon
iul of castor oil and waGn water
injection. The other cause is due K
4aNGI 1ultEll0A ptlotf IhC tisA q AACAit
aver. Give plenty of clean, dry bed
hing and dip the stump of the nave
.ord in saturated solution Of bori'
lcid. which will prevent infection.
The feeding of the colt should be
rim as early as possible, as the foa
makes more than half of its entire
srowth during the first year. Fol
bone and muscle forming feeds, blue
grass pasture and oats has no supe
,ior Corn. barley, kafr. etc, may BIZ
ed if properly balanced with legumt
hays, which have lime for bone
growth.
While the mare is at work the foa
should be locked up in good boz
ttall or yard, where it cannot hurt it
.elf While the foal is real young, th'
mare should be brought in in The
middle of the forenoon and Afternoon
o allow the foal 70 suck. If the mar,
S warm and fretting, milk out a par
II the milk, as it will injure the foal
especially if the mare is not brough