192 



CHAP. XLV. 



ON CHOOSING HORSES AND MARES EOR 

 BREEDING. 



YOUNG mares and stallions are, for palpa- 

 ble reasons, to be preferred for breeding from. 

 A mare m.ay be taken to the horse at three 

 years old, but the stallion ought to be five or 

 six : at four he may have a few mares, but too 

 many will weaken and spoil him. Foals 

 produced from a young mare and a young stal- 

 lion are supposed to possess more fire and spi- 

 rit than those from aged mares and stallions. 

 A good mare, however, will produce as fi.nc 

 foals at eight, nine, ten, and even at fourteen, 

 as at an earlier period of her life. The best 

 age for a stallion is from six to eight. He may 

 answer the purpose even till twelve or four- 

 teen jp but after this period his services may be 



