FARM HORSES 133 



and shaped in such a way as to stand severe work. 

 In addition, horses affected with roaring, grunting, 

 shivering, cribbing, and similar defects should be 

 avoided. 



Undoubtedly the breeding of the animal has a 

 great part to play in securing an animal of this type, 

 especially when one remembers that so many defects 

 like sidebone, ringbone, shivering, etc., are hereditary ; 

 but what concerns us chiefly at this point is the feeding 

 of horses from birth to maturity, in such a way as to 

 secure size, substance, and avoid injuring the legs by 

 careless feeding ; in fact, muscular development in young 

 horses is all-important. 



Brood Mares. It is usual to commence the mare 

 breeding at about three years old, the period of gesta- 

 tion extending over eleven months. Pregnant mares 

 require plenty of fresh air and exercise, and a fairly 

 liberal diet, which is sufficiently rich in albuminoids and 

 bone-forming materials (phosphates and lime) to support 

 and develop the foetus. Cold spring water should not, 

 generally speaking, be given to mares in foal, as well 

 as any foods that are liable to produce flatulency or 

 colic, e.g., bean meal, raw potatoes, etc. 



Unless the mare is out at grass at foaling time, 

 she will require a fairly laxative diet, e.g., bran mashes, 

 etc., so as to get her bowels working fairly freely, and 

 thus facilitate foaling. If the mare is to foal in a loose- 

 box, it should have been previously cleaned out and 

 disinfected, so as to free the walls and floors from the 

 germs which are responsible for navel ill or joint felon ; 

 in fact, the navel should be disinfected and tied 

 immediately after foaling with string which has been 

 previously soaked in a disinfectant. 



Grass is the natural food for milk, but if this is 



