BEEEDIJfG. 315 



as before, making forty-two days. But I insist that, as twenty- 

 one days is the period elapsing between a mare's going out of 

 heat and coming in again, making her periodical term thirty 

 days, twenty-one days is sufficient to prove a mare. 



Every breeder should be able to judge of the conception 

 of a mare, which will require attention to the following points : 

 After the first service of the horse, and before the next trial, 

 on examining the vagina, or bearing, as some call it, if con- 

 ception has not taken place, it will be of a fresh, bright, or 

 florid and moist appearance, with a clear drop appearing at 

 the lower part, and which, if touched, will incline to extend ; 

 but if conception is present, a different appearance of the 

 surface of the vagina will be presented. It will be found 

 dry and of a dirty brown or rust color, and a dark, bro^Mi- 

 looking drop will replace the former clear drop. When these 

 latter appearances are present, pregnancy may be regarded as 

 certain. They may be relied on as a sure criterion in the 

 purchase of a mare alleged to be with foal. 



Strange as it may appear, some mares, even though with 

 foal, if teased at about the expiration of the first month, or 

 part of the second, will be induced to admit of the service of 

 the horse. I have frequently seen this proved. The author 

 once put a mare to a horse in May. She stood every trial. In 

 harvest — or in September, I believe — I rode her by the stable 

 in which the horse was kept. She forced toward the stable. 

 I took her there and found that she stood the teasing, and 

 should have let the horse serve her; but the groom not being 

 at home, I was unable to do so. Subsequently, I deferred 

 putting her on account of the lateness of the season. This 

 mare proved to be with foal, and brought a colt early the fol- 

 lowing spring. 



Especial care should be taken of a mare about the fourth 

 and fifth months of her pregnancy, and from this time forward. 

 It is about this time when abortion is most likely to occur. 

 Her feeding should be increased, as she can not endure hun- 



