MODERN FARRIER. 169 



fturnber that are in heat before that time : but it is 

 advisable to let this heat pass over without giving 

 them to the stallion, because they would foal in 

 winter; and the colts, besides the inclemency of the 

 season, would liave bad milk for their nourishment. 

 Again, if the mares are not in heat till after the end 

 of June, they should not be covered that season ; 

 because the colts being foaled in summer, have not 

 time for acquiring strength sufncient to repel the 

 injuries of the following winter. 



Many, instead of bringing the stallion to the mare, 

 turn him loose into the close, where all the mares 

 are brought together ; and there leave him to choose 

 such as will stand to him. This is a very advan- 

 tageous method for the mares : they will always 

 horse more certainly than in the other; but the 

 stallion, in six weeks, will do himself more damage 

 than in several years by moderate exercise, conduct- 

 ed in the manner we have already mentioned. 



About six months after the mare has ceased to 

 shew any desire for the horse, some convulsive mo- 

 tions may be perceived at the flanks when she has 

 drank water freely : and this is the first sure sign of 

 conception. Mares when pregnant will admit of 

 copulation, but it is never attended with any super- 

 foetation. They usually breed till they are fourteen 

 or fifteen years old, and the most vigorous till they 

 are above eighteen. 



There is no certain time that the mare carries the 

 foal. It is generally, however, eleven months and 

 ten or fifteen days. They foal standing; M'hereas 

 most other quadrupeds lie down. Abortion seldom 

 takes place, except when the mare is exposed to 

 very violent exercise, such as are called dead pulls 

 at a heavy load, or in bad roads. On the other 

 hand, proper exercise is of great service to mares in 

 this state. 



. As soon as the flanks begin to droop, and the 

 udder becomes enlarged, the mare should be sepa- 

 8 Y 



I' 



