The Brood Mare. 



641 



why they should not be bred each year thereafter. They should not, 

 however, be put to work till over three years of age. 



At about twelve years, the productive powers of some draft mares 

 will begin to wane, although many of them are reliable breeders to 

 about fifteen years, especially if they have been bred continuously from 

 their maturity. Above this age, it is rarely profitable to keep them for 

 breeding. Perhaps it is best to dispose of draft brood mares at ten or 

 twelve years old unless they are exceptionally good breeders, in which 

 case they should be kept as long as they will breed. 



Fig. 6. — A six^horse farm wurk learn. 



Season of the year to breed 

 The natural time for foals to arrive is in the spring, and under ordi- 

 nary conditions, especially on breeding farms, this is customary. How- 

 ever, on most farms the mare must do the season's work in addition 

 to raising the colt. This often necessitates breeding the mares so as 

 to have the colts arrive in the fall. With good stables, abundance of 

 food and the necessary help, there is no reason why mares should not 

 be made to foal in the fall if it is more convenient to have them do so. 

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