Horse-Breeding.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 850, 15 June 1888, Page 18

Horse-Breeding.

The Feet.—One thing that impresses me even in horsey Yorkshire, and that is, the utter neglect of foals’ feet. Form and soundness of the legs and feet depend on business attention here. Trainers know this, and dealers often decline a deal on account of the undue length of the toe, or the abnormal gtowth of the quarter. Dry seasons are hostile to the growth of feet, and we have a panacea for this in moist clay, placed where you intend feeding the young stock—that is, where the soil is sandy or porous. In all other situations a good watering may be deemed. sufficient. The defeots in parentage are handed on to offspring, noticeably in the feet. .The paring knife should only be used for the ragged portions, and.the rasp for the outer quarter of the foot. Brittle feet require to bo dressed with tar ointment, and should be treated in a loose box till restored, standing on wet clay. Most of the crooked legs we see result from inequalities in the growth of horn ; toes turned jn or out likewise..

Weaning depends (1) on the wants of the owner for the mare, or (2) quality and quantity of the milk—the mare being in foal omce more, &c. There is nothing gained from short suppljr or a falling off in quality for the foal, and the apparent loss to the mother in condition is self-evident. Linseed boiled, and corn and bean meal mashes, flush milk should artificial means be deemed expedient. August an<f September are now esteemed the earliest and latest periods best calculated to ensure profit in stud-work. Horses must always be examined after the foals have left them ; we then ascertain the condition of the milk vessels, and if the supply is abundant the secretion must be diminished. But no risks are run when time is taken and care shown in the weaning and the dams are short fed for a few days ou old hay. Mares are sometimes milked once a day iu oases of excess, anti many rub goose-greese aad spirits in equal parts when there is tension in the udder, until all risk has disappeared. Dry food in small quantities and iu ffioderation is true economy in stable inanagement.

Foals weaned require good keep. Strong foals will be allowed two quarterns per diem j hay, slb ; bran niashes every other day, alternated with linseed mash—that is, if constipation supervenes. I use a dozen carrots per diem, to' clean the coat and keep the urinary apparatus in full swing ; but an ex» cess of carrota is detrimental to health, predisposing to diabetes [?] and skin disease. Advantage accrues from variety in the menu, and many prefer to use swedes as safer. Unthrifty looks, loss of appetite or tone in the gf dwUery and’ life, all

claim the master's eye, arid demand prompt action. Ten days after thfe foals have been ■weaned they may be turned out ; but care should be taken that they are placed in a safe, strong enclosure, with some good loose boxes or hovels round the paddock for shelter. Horses raised in confinement never wear ; they don’t know how to use their legs ; their muscles are flaccid, their joints are all wrong. Pure air and exercise, and good regular feeding, with variety, are essential to precocity- and growth. Feast in summer, famine in.winter, means slow, uncertain profit; and violent changes of weather in the fall demand good shelter for all young stock on any farm for profit. Undersized, stunted animals have been dwarfted (1) by bad management : (2) by undue exposure ; (3) bed mating. A sharp, short spell is a tonic, a cold, frosty morning, but hog or roaoh back is produced by a long, dreary, depressent spell, and that mainly at night, without proper shelter. Air, exercise, condition, and sensible management mean remuneration. ' v ' So we find coddling, pampering, feast and famine—parsimony, not true economy—mean breeder’s losses.

All the Yorkshire looal press has within the last month . bristled with show after show ; the encomiums havo been deserved—merit is high ; thanks to the London-edited press and their enthusiasts. Stud-book, work is more in favour, and»l hope ‘ dam unknown,’ ‘ breeder unknown,’ will soon boa matter of the past. Stallions travelling circuit should show a certificate of soundness, and the number in stud-bpoks should be on the cards.--R. H. Hilbouse, in the Agricultural Gazette.