486 THE HORSE BREEDING 



in the early spring months by arranging for half their mares 

 to foal in November. The cost may be four or five pounds 

 more, but mares getting a liberal supply of roots or steamed 

 food milk very well, and are ready to take a share in spring 

 work and let the foal be weaned in May. Should the navel 

 of the foal be attacked by flies and become raw, it may be 

 wetted with an infusion of walnut leaves, and dry flowers of 

 sulphur powdered over it, to encourage healing and to ward 

 off flies. 



No nursing mare ought to be put to work if it be possible 

 to avoid doing so. This precaution reduces the chances of 

 the development of scouring or of rickets in the foal, which 

 grows up into a fine animal. In any case, she should have a 

 clear month's rest after foaling before going to work, and then 

 only for half a day at a time. After returning from work a 

 little milk should be drawn before the foal is allowed to suck. 

 The milk which collects in the udder while the animal is at 

 work is poorer in fat than milk drawn at frequent intervals, 

 and it also changes in character from natural milk, and 

 may develop poisonous substances injurious to the young. 



Mares that are served at the " foal-heat," eleven days after 

 foaling, "hold" most readily. They remain " in use " at this 

 period for three days, but on other later occasions they 

 should come in season every three weeks during the spring 

 and early summer months and remain "on heat" for about 

 a week. A mare that breaks at four in place of three weeks 

 is not likely to conceive. In certain years mares are 

 irregular in coming to foal-heat, and are at times as late as 

 seventeen days. If missed or neglected during the first heat 

 some mares are not easily caught again for a time or two, if at 

 all, until the foal is weaned and they are in any case not so 

 easily " settled." A mare, like a cow, may have conceived at 

 the first covering and yet take the horse three weeks later as 

 if she had not done so, and thus put her attendant out of his 

 reckoning as to the time she should foal. 



By the second time a mare is in season there is a large 

 flow of milk, which to some extent reduces the system and 

 renders conception less certain. A mare covered when going 

 out of season is then most likely to " hold " or " stint." One 

 good "jump " or connection is better than several at one time 

 or on one day ; but in the event of a mare being covered soon 



