SIRES 235 



of mares sometimes allowed to horses at this age is almost incredible, 

 and the view seems to find favour with many that what a colt can do 

 should be the measure of what he should do, and it is no rare occurrence 

 for forty, fifty, or even sixty mares to receive service from these baby 

 sires during their first season. That they may be fairly fruitful under 

 such a strain there are examples to show; but the general result of such 

 a practice is not only to check growth and physical development, but to 

 lay the foundation for sexual weakness and disappointment in the following 

 season, and; it may be, to produce an abiding weakness of the reproduc- 

 tive function, or even permanent incapacity to get stock. Moreover, the 

 offspring of horses so overtaxed are at the best but doubtful blessings to 

 the breeder, and many a farmer can tell how his money and the stud 

 services of a good mare have been thrown away by the incautious use 

 of those overworked youngsters. . . . Having regard to health interests, 

 to quality of produce, and endurance at the stud, a horse at the age in 

 question should not be allowed more than ten to fifteen mares, and it 

 would be much to his advantage, as it would to that of all young sires, 

 if the season were allowed to get well advanced before commencing service. 

 At this time, grass will be plentiful and good, mares will ' come keen' 

 to the horse, the chance of returning will be materially diminished, and 

 the horse's services correspondingly lightened. As to older stallions, the 

 same want of care obtains with them as with the more juvenile section, 

 and many a good horse is prematurely used up or falls a victim to disease 

 as the outcome of unbridled abuse. The number of mares a horse should 

 receive from three years old upwards allows of no fixed rule being laid 

 down. Very much will depend upon growth and development, and even 

 more on natural vigour of constitution and sexual capacity, which latter 

 can only be known by experience. Some horses almost complete their 

 upward growth at two years old, while others at that age have made 

 but little progress." 



In settling the work of young sires, every consideration should be 

 given to their fitness in respect of the points referred to above, and lack 

 in one respect or the other should be deemed sufficient to withhold them 

 from stud service until, by time and good living, they have acquired the 

 necessary growth and vigour of constitution to enable them to exercise 

 the reproductive function without prejudice to their full development and 

 maturation as sires. 



There is a very wide difference in the desire and the capacity of horses 

 for stud work. Some, although young and fairly fruitful, display a 

 vexatious indifference towards their mares, and can only be induced to 

 consummate the act by the greatest care, or some special device on the 



