BREEDING 69 



feclion ; both which contribute fo very 

 much to the daily growth and improvement 

 of the colt, that it is a matter of the utmoft 

 confcquence to the breeder, whofe principal 

 objed: fhould be to attain every poffible ad- 

 vantage in height^ konc^ and condition^ pre- 

 vious to the commencemeni: of fevere wea- 

 ther, during which growth is in general fuf- 

 pended, unlefs liberally promoted by the f^- 

 lutary interpoiition of good food, and proper 

 fhelter to encounter the inclemency of the 

 feafon. 



This is the firft ftep to be taken where 

 no difagreeable traits intervene to require a 

 different mode of treatment ; but fhould the 

 mare (by foaling before her time, or in fe- 

 vere iliarp winds, a cold wet night, long and 

 painful delivery, or other circumftances too 

 abftrufe to be difcovered) viiibly labour wxi- 

 dtx Jixed dcjeBion^ bodily languor \ lofs of ap^ 

 petite, laying down as if painfully weary, 

 and totally inattentive to the infantile fond- 

 nefs of her foa) ; it may be juftly pre fumed, 

 nature has fuftained a fevere fhock from fome 

 one of the caufes jull: recited, that cannot 

 be too foon attended to and counteracted, 



F 3 for 



