THE MANAGEMENT OF FOALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2677, 5 July 1905, Page 50

THE MANAGEMENT OF FOALS.

The management of foals should (says a writer in the London Live Stock Journal) be the constant care of every owner of high-class stock, and never more so than at the beginning of the fall, when the weather may be expected to become unsettled and the young-sters begin to have to shift for themselves. Of course the wisest and best course to take is to accustom the foals to be handled from the very first, but on farms and on large studs it is not always possible to spare the time for this, as the men are required for other work. All the same, there is always someone who has to Look after the brood mares, and it is often within this person's power to do more than be often does to get on good terms with his charges. Foals, just like old horses, differ wonderfully in their temperaments, and whilst some are nervous from the very first, others evince a desire to fraternise with human beings almost as 6oon as they can stand. The latter, of course, are no trouble ; but in the ease of the former it is quite the reverse, and tho more excitable and nervous the foal is the greater the necessity for handling him. Until something like mutual confidence is established between the foal and his attendant there is always a risk of trouble if it becomes necesaary to catch or handle the youngster, and it is remarkable how some foals will try to escape the ordeal. As a. consequence, accidents innumerable have occurred through the fcerxiiied animals trying to get through a half-opened door, or into the manger, in their efforts to prevent being caught, and if they do contrive to escape they frequently injure themselves by slipping down or getting hurt by other horses with which they seek protection. The younger, therefore, that he ie when his education is begun the less likely he is to get injured, as the immature animal naturally is unable to adopt such methods for escape as a stronger one is. The more timid the foal the greater tho patience that must be devoted to handling him, and, indeed, sometimes the task of gaining his confidence appears past hoping for, but perseverance and kindness will accomplish much. It is always best to accustom the foal to wearing a head collar, and, provided that this fits, it may be left on him permanently; but, at all events, he should wear it for two or three days at a time. The location of weaned foals in a i - emote and secluded part of the establishment is a practice that is not to be recommended if it can be avoided, as the earlier he is accustomed to unfamiliar sights and sounds the less he will be geared by such things in after life. Besides, should a foal get hurt in &ome way or take sick, the chances are that the trouble will be sooner detected if he is kept near home ; and ho is also more likely to receive attention from members of the family if he is close to the house, and so extend his knowledge of the human race. All these may appear to be small matters, but there is reason in all that has been written ; and it is usually the case that the young stock belonging to studs at which only a few foals are reared are all good mannered, the cause being that they have been made much of in their infancy.