HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES. 113 



"My practice is to have the stallion in strong, vigorous condition, and to keep him 

 so throughout the breeding season say from March i to July i by constant and 

 abundant exercise ; and no plan will give this needed exercise in so desirable and eco- 

 nomical shape as to make a business horse of him under the saddle and in harness, one 

 or both. The constant use, association and control by his master renders him 

 obedient, manageable and safe; whilst it also keeps all the vital organs in full and 

 vigorous play which gives a larger per cent, of foals from his service, and with more 

 constitution and vitality. I wish to emphasize this point, for it is opposite to the pre- 

 vailing custom. 



"Next, be sure your mare is in season (heat) ; * * it requires experience to deter- 

 mine this accurately mares vary greatly in temperament, or nervous organization, and 

 consequently conduct themselves differently. * * Such mares as have dropped foals 

 will, almost invariably, be in heat in from seven to ten days after foaling. * * * I 

 always have the colt accompany its mother, else she is fretting for it, and it is more diffi- 

 cult to ascertain her true condition. After the first service, * * if the mare's condition 

 is normal, until she is safe in foal heat will recur at intervals of 21 days, varying a lit- 

 tle with the individual; thus you will see why a reasonable degree of success attends those 

 who practice returning mares on the seventh or ninth day after service. My observation 

 has been that mares carry a heat on the average, five days. 



' ' When foaling time is at hand see that the mare is exposed to no extra risks, then 

 let her alone. When the mother's milk fails to keep the foal fat, feed her grain to enrich 

 it, and that the colt may learn to eat and digest the grain perfectly before weaning time, 

 which should be done at from six to eight months of age, at which time it should be abun- 

 dantly and regularly supplied with nutritious food. Oats and bran are my choice, with 

 corn added as cold weather comes on; the desideratum being to keep up thrift and growth 

 from birth to maturity. If this is interrupted at any stage, one loses not only in size, but 

 in style or symmetry. Where growing colts are thus constantly associated with man, the 

 breaking-in to service is a simple thing; the transition is so easy and natural that they 

 hardly know it, and where light and occasional work is performed by them between the 

 second and third years, by the time maturity is reached the animals are thoroughly de- 

 veloped, trained and safe, and will command the very highest market price for their re- 

 spective kinds. In fact, from discriminating buyers, a horse known to be thus raised and 

 trained will command an extra price. 



" Very truly yours, C. A. GRAVES." 



Mr. Graves is careful to emphasize the necessity for actual use, either 

 under the saddle or in harness, of service stallions, and brings out clearly 

 the points in breeding on which beginners are apt to stumble, His let- 

 ter contains some valuable information well worth remembering. 



