464 TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 



with good grade draft mares. In such cases, these mares have 

 shown excellent draft type, even though they were not eligible 

 to registry. Purebred draft mares cost considerably more to 

 buy, but have the very great advantage of having their foals 

 eligible to registry, and hence of greater market value. In 

 breeding carriage, saddle, and roadster horses, it is essential 

 in most cases that purebred mares be used. 



Well-developed feminine character and a good disposition 

 are fundamental qualities in a brood mare, as such mares are 

 usually more regular breeders, better mothers, and more easily 

 handled and worked than are mares of masculine appearance 

 or mean, vicious, or highly nervous disposition. The brood 

 mare should have a long underline, and a deep, full-made, roomy 

 middle. 



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Fig. 155. Blood Will Tell. 



Grade Shire mares shown at the Bushnell, 111., horse show in 1914, all 

 bred and owned by Mr. Jonas McGrew, Walnut Grove, 111. All of these 

 mares, and the dams and grandams of some of them, were sired by Shire 

 stallions imported by the Truman Pioneer Stock Farm, Bushnell, 111. 



Well-developed draft fillies may be bred when two years 

 old; others should not be bred until three years old. The dura- 

 tion of pregnancy in mares is quite variable, but averages about 

 340 days. A two-year-old stallion may breed 8 or 10 mares 

 in the season, a three-year-old from 25 to 30, and a four-year-old 

 from 40 to 50. The breeding season lasts from 100 to 115 days, 

 and it is important not to use the stallion too heavily at any 

 time. A two-year-old may safely be allowed to cover one mare 

 every five days; a three-year-old, three a week; a four-year-old, 

 three every two days; and a mature horse should be limited 

 usually to two covers daily, and perhaps occasionally he may 

 make three. 



