CHAPTER VI. 



MANAGEMENT OF BROOD MAEES AND 

 FOALS. 



As it is with the breeding stallion so it is with 

 the brood mare; it is best to work her when- 

 ever possible. A mare that is worked intelli- 

 gently, not pulled hard, properly fed and well 

 housed will usually carry her foal to the ap- 

 pointed time and bear it with little trouble. If 

 the pregnant mare is worked the feeding prob- 

 lem solves itself once more any good food, free 

 from dust an'd mold, will serve her purpose well 

 if she is given enough of it. Special care should 

 always be exercised to see that hay and grain 

 fed to pregnant mares are absolutely free from 

 dust or mold or other evidences of decay. Abor- 

 tion, is a likely consequence of feeding moldy 

 hay or grain. Changes of food are not advisa- 

 ble and are to be avoided. 



It is, however, impossible to work brood 

 mares where a large number are kept. Plenty 

 of exercise is an essential to good health in all 

 horses and this is best given idle mares in win- 

 ter by allowing them the run of a large field. 

 Perhaps the best exercising ground for brood 

 mares in all parts of the country is a large pas- 

 ture on which a goodly portion of the herbage 

 has been allowed to mature. Anywhere in the 

 cornbelt blue grass grows luxuriantly, and if it 



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