238 BREEDING 



Eighty per cent of the cases of this disease occur at the beginning of 

 the season, when every organ of the body is over-burdened with fat, and 

 the muscles devoid of that healthy tone by which the feet are relieved' 

 from undue impact of superimposed weight. 



When a horse commences his season fat and wanting condition, his 

 stud work is greatly multiplied by mares returning to service, and espe- 

 cially if as is mostly the case he is allowed to serve an unreasonable 

 number. In this state his early services are often abortive, and require 

 to be repeated again and again, so that the vigour and condition with 

 which he should have started is never attained. Young and old horses 

 especially are made to suffer, both in body and reputation, by neglect 

 of this first principle of stud-management. 



Stallions which have passed through an average season show the effects* 

 of its weakening influence, and need at that time as much as any a liberal 

 measure of support. To uphold condition is the end to be aimed at, if 

 a high state of fertility is to be maintained and services prolonged. 



In order that this may be done, the winter keep should be generous 

 and of the best. A paddock with ample range, if possible, should be 

 provided, in which exercise and plenty of it may be obtained. Stallions 

 are better in the open, even in the cold days of winter, than in the average 

 stable. It is no uncommon thing to see Mr. James Forshaw's valuable 

 Shire stallions out with their blinkers on at Christmas, when snow is 

 over their hoofs, and most people will respect his large experience of stud- 

 management. 



As February comes round, the food ration should be increased, and 

 exercise, commencing with six and increasing to ten miles a day, should 

 be enforced. Hard condition and a fruitful season will be the result, 

 to say nothing of the escape from diseases incidental to obesity. 



With judicious management, horses "on the road" will uphold their 

 condition as the season goes on, and far exceed in fruitfulness those that 

 " stand" at home. How much the vitality and strength of the offspring 

 depend upon the vigour of the sire at the time of service is an unknown 

 quantity, but no one acquainted with the subject will fail to realize the 

 importance of their physiological relations. It is distinctly to the ad- 

 vantage of stud-horses that they be regularly fed, and ample time be 

 allowed for digestion to advance, before going to service. Neglect of 

 this precaution is accountable for many of those attacks of indigestion, 

 twisted bowels, and ruptured stomach from which stallions so frequently 

 suffer. Nor is it less important that, as far as practicable, horses on the 

 road should do their \vork in the early morning and cool of the evening, 

 so that the depressing effects of mid-day heat may be avoided. 



