BREEDING 191 



development of the vagina is so contracted that the stallion 

 is made sore in consequence, thus hindering him in his sub- 

 sequent duties. The mare is also unduly irritated, and 

 resents the attentions of the male on after-occasions through 

 fear of being hurt. Many owners of valuable stallions w^ill 

 not allow them to serve maiden mares, and it is often so 

 stated in the published advertisements. A stud-groom, 

 when he finds the passage unduly small, should insert his 

 hand and arm, after well oiling them, and, besides opening 

 the vagina, should smear the part well with vaseline or 

 some other lubricating ointment. 



The actual first service is the most important one of the 

 mare's life. Though science deprecates the notion, practical 

 experience proves that the impressions then formed more or 

 less dominate all subsequent offspring. At that moment the 

 maiden knows not what is about to take place, and she 

 closely observes everything she sees, and follows each move- 

 ment of those about her. Everything is photographed in 

 her marvellous memory, and it is of supreme importance 

 that on this occasion she should not gaze upon any ill- 

 formed horse ; and if the sire has defects it is better that the 

 mare should not see him, but be blindfolded until he has 

 come and gone. In the thirtieth chapter of Genesis the 

 importance of the surroundings is well emphasised, and 

 evidently well understood at that far-off date. On sub- 

 sequent occasions, though such precautions are still 

 desirable, they are not of the same importance as at the 

 very first time of covering. 



Quietness should ever be sought, and in all well-managed 

 establishments a special yard for such performances is an 

 invariable rule, surrounded with such high walls that the 

 occupants cannot see outside, and with no possibility of any 

 disturbance from the external world. For the reasons given 

 it is evident the use of the twitch is not to be recommended 

 as an invariable rule, although the two interests involved 

 may differ as to this, the owner of the stallion thinking 

 chiefly about the safety of his horse, whilst the owner of 

 the mare is concerned about the success of the progeny. 

 When the mare is known to be a difficult and irritable 



