For some time, however, the foal has to depend on its mother for its subsistence, and as soon as it can rise to the erect position, instinctively it seeks for the teats of the dam, from which for some months to come it will obtain its chief food.

By degrees the foal, prompted by instinct or curiosity, essays the taste of the herbage at its feet, and in time begins to prefer it to the maternal fluid. The mother at the same time seems to realize that her nursing days have been sufficiently prolonged, and gives her colt emphatic hints that it has ceased to be solely dependent on her for its daily food.