HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



Service ought not to be gi\eii until tlie discharge has ceased, 

 ^lany mares prove sterile tlirough this and other reasons, 

 the spermatozoa being unable to Vwc uu'ler such conditions 

 as those alluded to, consequently perish as soon as ejected. 



Even with mares that are uncertain breeders (from causes 

 unknown) an injection of a solution of bicarbonate of soda, 

 previous to service — say the day before — is advantageous. 



Many mares do not become in foal the hrst season, in 

 some cases, due to excessive sexual excitement at the time of 

 service, and others, through the same cause, do, in the writer's 

 opinion, frequently pick their foals. Although a repetition of 

 oestrum — i.e., a desire for further service — is good evidence 

 that a mare has not " held," it is not positive evidence, because 

 some mares come into season again and again, yet they are 

 known to be in foal. Immediately after service, the mare should 

 be put to the stable by herself, and there allowed to remain 

 undisturbed for tw-o or three hours. The advantages of this 

 are obvious to anv practical man. 



If a mare has a foal, this should be allowed to return to 

 her at once, thus avoiding unnecessary excitement. 



Working a mare right up to date of foaling is a common, 

 but wise custom, provided that no heavy work is given during 

 the later period of gestation. 



It is most prejudicial to compel an in-foal mare after the 

 fifth month — though still worse after the seventh — to perform 

 the same work as one that is barren. 



Another matter deserving particular attention is that in con- 

 nection with the working of mares in milk. A thoughtless horse- 



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