MANAGEMENT OF IN-FOAL MARES 21T 



of pregnant mares needs considerable care and attention on the part of 

 the manager, and the resort to dr}^, nourishing diet should not be too 

 long delayed. When it should be commenced will depend upon the 

 nature and quality of the herbage, the size of the pasture, the number of 

 stock upon it, the state of the season, and, above all, upon the condition of 

 the mares. The last-named should never be allowed to get low. Poverty 

 on grass is the worst form of poverty, not only because it is usually 

 attended with exposure, but also because of the tendency which the cold 

 indifferent herbage of the autumn and winter possesses of lowering the 

 temperature of the body. This kind of treatment not only predisposes 

 to abortion, but at tlie same time retards the development of the fcetus, 

 and tends to impair its vitality and render the foal an easy prey to any 

 disease that may overtake it at the period of birth. 



Work. — The view may not be universal, but it is generally held that 

 nothing conduces so much to the production of strong, healthy offspring as 

 giving the mare a reasonable amount of work, under judicious manage- 

 ment. A certain element of risk, it is true, always attends the active 

 employment of pregnant animals, and especially those engaged in farm- 

 work, but with common care this is far outweighed by the benefits con- 

 ferred on the dam and pi'oduce. When mares have well-proportioned work 

 and a liberal supply of good food, foals are not only dropped bigger and 

 stronger, but they resist the exposure to adverse influences, and thrive and 

 grow much better than those from idle, ill-conditioned mares. 



As to the stage of pregnancy when mares should cease to work, 

 different people entertain different ideas, but the question is sui-ely far 

 more one of management than of opinion. It is common enough for 

 mares to work right up to the time of parturition, and especially among 

 little men, who depend for their livelihood on the labour of their mares. 

 But in these cases self-interest lends its force to management, and largely 

 determines the success of the enterprise. As a general system sucli a 

 course would be fraught with the greatest danger, but there can be no 

 doubt, where common care is observed in the selection and appoint- 

 ment of work, together with good general management, jjregnant mares 

 are all the better for working up to within three or four weeks of the 

 time of foaling. AVhen work is 'discontinued, daily exercise should be 

 substituted, or, if available, some brief, light employment. The late Mr. 

 James Martin — a rare authority, by the way, on blood and breeding — - 

 once observed to the writer: " I have foaled eighteen mares this season. 

 All have worked nearly up to the time of foaling, and without a mishap 

 to either mare or foal." Such a result is not likely to be of common 

 attainment, but it is most assured under the influence of reasonable^ 



