THE HORSE BREEDING. 573 



tion, and have her system toned up to the best condition of 

 health and vigor, that her foal may be like her in these qualities. 



At Conception. The records of physiology show that the 

 mental and physical condition of the father or mother at time 

 of conception have fixed the character of children. The mother 

 worn out by care and want, worry and work, has not as a rule 

 borne the vigorous, healthy, and happy offspring. The stallion 

 and the mare should be conditioned by moderate exercise and 

 appropriate feed, so that at the time of mating each shall be 

 in the best condition of health and vigor, and the nervous pow- 

 ers in a normal, healthy state. 



After Conception. After the conception, the use of the 

 mare should be such as to keep her in perfect health, and her 

 food should be of such quality and quantity as to best nourish 

 her and the growing foetus. Of course, this would preclude any 

 harsh treatment, any severe labor and conditions that would 

 suddenly tax her strength. It does not, however, argue that 

 the mare should be kept in idleness, and tenderly coddled in a 

 box stall or small lot, where she can only sleep and eat and 

 drink. This mode of life does not keep the highest degree of 

 vigor and strength. " Use strengthens and disuse weakens," is 

 the old physiological law. But it has its limitations. Excessive 

 and long continued exertion may over-tax and weaken the mus- 

 cular and nervous system. Hence moderate and regular work 

 strengthens man or beast, and they alike are the stronger, 

 healthier, and less nervous for regular moderate labor. 



The Mare and Stallion Should Be Worked. Within 

 the limits of the rules given above, we claim that the dam 

 and sire are better for moderate regular work, and the foal will 

 be more healthy and uniformly developed because of the 

 superior condition of the parents. The successful breeders of 

 swine and sheep recognize the importance of keeping up the 

 vigor of the females of their flock, if they would have strong, 

 healthy pigs or lambs. The neglect of this practice of securing 

 highest vigor and health by exercise of the dams while carry- 

 ing their young, has caused a vast amount of loss, which is 

 wholly unnecessary. As the value of the horse depends so 



