iio Management and Feeding of Heavy Horses 



horse extend his visits into July, even if he did not begin till late 

 in April. 



The weather gets warmer in May and there is then a fresh 

 bite of grass to turn the mare out to. If the mares are idle 

 and have been lying out the winter, the point is not of so much 

 importance, as the foal will usually stand as severe cold after birth 

 as its mother was accustomed to before. But where the mare 

 has to assist in the work of the farm, and is kept in a warm stable 

 or box during the winter, it is better to have foaling deferred till 

 summer weather sets in. When the farm work has to be carried 

 on with the help of the mares, it is well to arrange their time of 

 foaling, so as to interfere with the work as little as possible. And 

 as the work varies in different parts of the country and on different 

 farms in the same district, so also the time of foaling varies. The 

 mares should be healthy and thriving when sent to meet the 

 horse — not loaded with fat, and heated with rich food — but just 

 in good working condition, even if not full of flesh. There is 

 sometimes much trouble and annoyance in getting mares that 

 have been highly fed, or got up for showing, to breed. A change 

 of diet, by turning them out to grass for a few weeks, may cause 

 a change in their system, and bring the desired result about. 



There is some difference of opinion as to whether it is best to 

 begin the mares at two years old to the work of the stud or to let 

 them run till they are three, and much may be said on both sides. 

 Circumstances, however, should decide individual cases. If a two- 

 year-old filly is strong and well grown, and is not required for the 

 work of the farm, she may as well be put to the stud, and the work of 

 breaking her in to the collar postponed till after the foal is weaned. 

 This course may cause her to be left barren the next year, as it 

 is not desirable to break them in to work when pregnant. Neither 

 is it desirable to miss a year, as it is sometimes difficult to get them 

 to breed again when they run barren for a year. However, as most 

 farmers like to collar their fillies at two years old, and get them 

 steadied for work, even if they do not insist on them doing a full 

 share of it, they do not find it convenient to have them foaling at 

 three years old. On the other hand, some breeders assert that by 

 starting them in the business when young they are more likely to 

 make good mothers and more regular breeders than if they are 

 allowed to live a maiden life a year longer. Those who practise 

 this system are generally on farms where the horse work is not 

 so pressing, and where they can allow the young brood mares to 

 be idle most of the year. It is well, however, to mate a filly with 

 a horse of more mature age, and it is of great importance that her 



