HORSE PRODUCTION m 



Temporary sterility is caused by injuries or diseases affecting the repro- 

 ductive organs and also may be the result of extreme change of environment, 

 overfat condition or rundown condition and excessive use in the stud. 



Many instances are known where imported stallions have failed to serve 

 mares successfully for the first year or two in this country after which they proved 

 to be entirely satisfactory. In most instances stallions are sold with a guarantee 

 to get 60 per cent of normal brood mares in foal. A much better result than this 

 may be expected, however, if the stallion is potent and not used to excess. 



Mares frequently cause more or less difficulty as a result of their sterile or 

 barren condition. Mares past twelve or fourteen years of age are likely to be 

 sterile due to disuse and changes that have rendered the reproductive organs 

 inactive. Over fat mares are difficult to get with foal. Diseased and closed and 

 hardened condition of the reproductive organs are causes of inability to con- 

 ceive. Some mares appear to have an inability to produce a foal oftener than 

 once in two years. It is easier to breed mares successfully in the spring of the 

 year than it is in the fall, in fact, the spring when mares are shedding their coats 

 may be regarded as the normal and most successful season to breed them and to 

 have them raise their foals most satisfactorily. 



Care and Management of the Work Horse. The work horse is the ulti- 

 mate and most important end of the horse industry. He is worthy of every care 

 and comfort that can be given him and the driver and caretaker of the working 

 class of horses have a responsibility equal to that of any other class of men en- 

 gaged in animal production. 



Work Horse Suggestions. To the fullest extent possible, choose a work 

 horse of the class that is best adapted to the kind of work he must perform. If 

 work for which he is unsuited must be performed, give him extra consideration 

 and every encouragement. 



Do not expect young, immature or aged horses to do the work that horses in 

 their prime can do. It is unprofitable to depend upon either for work that is 

 urgent. 



Retire from work, horses that are lame, sick or seriously out of condition. 



Do not turn off an old horse that has paid his cost and keep many times and 

 let him fall into the hands of men who are inconsiderate of his welfare. Horse 

 hides, bone and meat serve purposes that render it possible to have old horses 

 humanely and profitably destroyed. 



As far as possible to do so, keep work horses' working regularly to their 

 fullest capacity. It is better for them and much more profitable to their owner. 

 Farm horses are idle during a large percentage of the working days of the year 

 which fact must be taken into consideration in keeping and feeding them to the 

 best advantage. 



Guard against diseases by never watering horses at public watering places 

 especially in times of an epidemic of distemper. 



Buying the Work Horse. Judgment and money secure a good work 

 horse. One must expect to pay a reasonable price for a work horse and there is 

 nothing saved in buying something undesirable at a reduced cost. The best is 



