THE REARING OF FOALS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 750, 21 July 1904, Page 11

THE REARING OF FOALS.

A common but entirely erroneous impression exists amongst some people that its mother’s milk will suffice for the keep of a foal to such an extent that additional feeding is unnecessary. This is quite a mistake, and the sooner it is recognised, providing that there is an idea that the foal will turn out to be a better one, the better No doubt Nature has ordained that foals shall not eat grass until they attain a certain amount of age, and hence the length of their legs; but there are certain other foods’which can be given them with great advantage at a month or so old, by which time they are able to enjoy the luxury of mastication quite well. For instance, some scalded oats, a little at a time, and not too often, may be given them in a mash with some bran and a pinch of salt, and this will assist in sending the young animal along. Some add boiled beans after a while, and doubtless this food is stimulating, but it does not suit all foals equally well. After the foal is weaned, which is usually about the age of five or six months, though, of course circumstances alter cases, the allowance of crushed oats and beans should be liberal, and if bran is added as before, the bowels will be kept in good working order. Foals, if properly looked after, will usually do better in a strawyard than anywhere else during their first winter, after which they can be turned out; but if their feeding is to be neglected, and they are likely to be left to stand for weeks at a time up to their pasterns in liquid filth, they are quite as likely to do as well in the open. All young horses, whether foals, yearlings, or two-year-olds, should be fed when lying out, that is to say if it is desired that they should develop into strong, healthy animals, and do justice to their breeding; and the provision of a suitable shelter for them to take refuge in from the weather when it is bad, is essential for both their health and condition. In addition to a feed of grain, a few handfuls of sound hay a day will contribute much to their improvement, and the outlay necessitated thereby will be found to be money well spentj by the time they are grown up.— “ .Live Stock Journal.”