642 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



In fact, if one is forced to choose between a spring foal with no chance 

 properly to favor the mare and a fall foal which arrives and is suckled 

 while the mare is laid by, the latter would be more desirable. During 

 winter, however, both mare and foal will require more attention than 

 if bred to foal in the spring. By fall foaling, the youngsters can be 

 given a good start before they are set back by the short pastures and 

 flies of mid-summer. 



The mare is not so likely to breed in the fall and winter as in the 

 spring. She is often thin in flesh after the summer's work. But by 

 increasing the food, especially the grain rations, by regular and moderate 

 exercise, and by blanketing, the desired results can often be brought 

 about. The bowels should be kept free from constipation by feeding 

 moderate amounts of succident foods. 



Breeders of race and show hordes take every advantage of the age 

 limit, and therefore favor early foaling. There are also unquestionable 

 benefits to be derived from the life in the open, and the new grass to 

 commend springtime for foaling, but the prejudice against fall colts 

 is not altogether warranted and circumstances may be such as to make 

 it most advantageous. 



When mares should be tried 



There is great diversity of opinion as to when and how often a mare 

 should be tried after she has been served by the stallion. It can be ac- 

 cepted as a general rule that if the mare is perfectly normal and healthy 

 she will conceive. If she is not normal or is unhealthy, she either 

 will not conceive at all or only occasionally at best, and even then 

 there is likely to be difficulty. We should see to it that her organs are 

 perfectly normal and that she is in good health. We should not change 

 her diet or her mode of life so suddenly as to upset her general health. 



Some mares are shy breeders. If a mare is unwilling and it is desired 

 to breed her, she can occasionally be brought about by hobbling her 

 securely and breeding her anyhow. Then she will behave more or less 

 peaceably in eighteen to twenty-one days when she may be bred again. 

 There are other mares, and they are numerous, that will freely be served 

 when they are in foal, in some cases almost up to the time of foaling. 



A mare will almost invariably breed on the ninth day, or thereabouts, 

 after foaling, and if she is healthy and has received no injuries in giving 

 birth it is the practice to breed her at this time. Just when mares should 

 be returned to see whether they have conceived is a much discussed 

 question. Mares differ greatly in the recurrence of their periods. 

 It is best for each breeder to study the individual differences among 



