128 



huntsman, kept him company through a long chase, and was in at tlie 

 death of the fox. This mare I rode more than fifty years ago. 



The staHion and brood mare are botli apphcable to other business, 

 as well as to that of breeding, provided it be properly timed, and their 

 powers exercised with judgment and moderation. A mare in foal may 

 draw, or be ridden with safety, on the conditions that the work be so 

 moderate as not to injure her appetite or depress her spirit; that no sudden 

 or violent exertions be necessary, and that she be well kept at hard meat. 

 But all exercise should be discontinued when she becomes heavy and 

 near her time, although I know it to be the practice of some to work 

 their cart mares so long, that the circumstance has frequently occurred, 

 of their dropping the foal whilst in harness. Such is a rash and un- 

 thinking practice, whether it arise from defect of keeping account of 

 the mare's time, or from a want of feeling due to her situation. I im- 

 mediately recollect three accidents to mares in foal : a famous hack of 

 mine, the like of which 1 shall never see again, was ridden express, 

 whilst heavy in foal, by an insensible fellow, and over rough cross-roads, 

 forty two miles in three hours, returning afterwards at the same rate. 

 On reaching her own stable, the mare cast her foal, escaping herself b}'^ 

 the goodness of her constitution; but although in eleven years which 

 she survived, she continued capable of great performances, she also in 

 her exertions, plainly manifested internal debility and reduced powers, 

 however uncommon. In the spring of the year 1790, being in great 

 haste to finish the ploughing some land, I worked two mares very 

 forward in foal. Loss of flesh, but more particularly dulness and depres- 

 sion, for several weeks, were the foreboding symptoms, which, from a 

 shameful inattention, w^ere not regarded. One mare cast twins, and 

 the other !?hewed every appearance of an approach to the same state, 

 which was happily prevented by allowing her a comfortable well-littered 

 loose stable, with beer cordial, mashes of malt, fine pollard and 

 oats, and warm water. She recovered in ten days, and went her full 

 time. 



All the modes practised to procure abortion in the mare, are cruel 

 and dangerous to her future health and strength. In case of a stolen 



leap. 



