638 



Reading-Course for Farmers. 



In the driving and coach types, action at the trot is very essential. It 

 should be regular, free, and without a paddling or straddling motion. 



It is of great importance that the brood mare be free from all 

 forms of unsoundness or disease that is hereditary or communicable 

 to the offspring. Many breeders have fallen into the error of considering 

 any broken-down, halt, maimed, blind or otherwise unsound mare fit 

 for breeding purposes when no longer able to work. It should be said 

 that blemishes, the result of accident, are not hereditary or transmissible 

 and do not render the individual mare unfit for breeding. The greatest 

 possible care must be exercised, however, in deciding whether the blemish 

 is the resi^lt of accident or an inherent deficiency. 



Furthermore, it is desirable that the brood mare have a good dis- 

 position. Infirmities in temper or disposition seem to be readily trans- 



FiG. 3. — Hackney brood marcs. 



mitted to the offspring. Pregnant mares are often quarrelsome and 

 many distressing accidents occur when the mare has a naturally mean 

 disposition. 



While absolutely perfect mares can rarely if ever be found, and few 

 farm breeders can afford to reject a mare for small and unimportant 

 defects, yet it would be of great advantage to each horse-breeder and 

 a boon to the horse-breeding industry in general were all actually 

 unsound and notably unsuitable mares rigorously rejected when selecting 

 breeding stock. 



Productive period in brood mares 



The most fertile period in the mare's life is usually at four to twelve 

 years of age. In exceptional cases, this period may be extended both 



