THE REARING OF FOALS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1024, 13 January 1911, Page 10

THE REARING OF FOALS.

• CARE.OF THE FEET. ' The "Live Stock Journal" (Loudon), in discussing several points concerning the rearing of foals,, says:— " ' "TruV, tho nature of tho ground on which foals move has a great- influence on'the hoof and pasterns. Such ground as is neither too hard nor too soft, as for instance.a sandy clay soil, has been found by experience to be the best for light-horses'at any rate. A light sand or a-soft or marshy ground, occasions; defects in the hoof" andr also soft, pasterns and haunphes. This may be noticed among foals which have;been confined to yards which have not'been kept clean underfoot. Before foals reach the ago when they are to bo put to work, they should- be familiarised with tho halter, brush, and curry comb, and made to frequently lift thoirsfeet all round so as to prepare them' for shoeing. ' "A single''foal, even on the best of pasture, will never acquire such development of muscles and sinew as those which are reared together in numbers. The solitary foal is inclined to stand about a "good deal in the same place, and at best move about but slowly. Particular attention should at all times bo paid to-.tho hoofs of foals, so that they'may grow equally well in ell parts and retain a pood ship". With this view they should be examined at intervals, of six'- or oigltl woehs by a skilful hand. Such, paj-ts as arc growing out of proportion should be cut down. This is of great importance for the general wellbeing of the' whole foot." -