--93- 



others will go equally aa long beyond this period. When once the 

 time of a mare is known, the breeder can generally regulate her go- 

 ing to the horse so as to have the colt appear at whatever season he 

 considers most desirable, but without this knowledge he cannot 



After having being served by a horse, the mare should be allowed 

 to stand idle awhile, as conception will be far more apt to take place 

 if she is left to herself. If put to brisk motion, or to any strain 

 immediately after copulation, she is apt to fail of conception. 

 Bhe should also be kept away from string-proud or badly cas- 

 trated geldings, not only at this period, but during her entire 

 pregnancy, as they are apt to worry her to the casting of the 

 conception, or, at a later period, to slinking the foal. 



After she has been allowed a reasonable season of quiet, mod- 

 erate work will be rather beneficial than injurious ; and this may 

 be kept up until about the time for foaling. Special care should 

 always be exercised to guard her against being kicked, heavily 

 thrown, or inordinately strained in any way. 



It sometimes occurs that at the time of foaling, a false pre- 

 sentation is made, producing difficulty of delivery ; but no reli- 

 able instructions can be here given as to what course to pursue 

 in these cases ; and it is best to seek the aid of some skillful 

 veterinary surgeon. 



The mare which has had a colt will be found in season some- 

 time within the next thirty days, and she ought to go to the 

 horse at this time if she is to be bred at all. The ninth day after 

 foaling will generally be found to be the right time. Whenever 

 indications of heat are discovered, the matter should not be de- 

 layed, as the season may pass off and not return. After put- 

 ting, the days of trail are the ninth, then, if she refuses, the 

 seventh after this, and upon a second refusal, the fifth after 

 this, which is sufficient to prove her. 



VII. How to Know whether a Mare is in Foal. 



It is often important for both breeders and traders to know 

 whether a mare is really in foal ; and one prominent writer has 

 published the following directions for determining this point, 

 which he says may be implicitly relied on : 



