FEEDING AND CARE OF HORSES 231 



however, have proper feed, care and management. Recent statistics 

 show that only 60 per ct. of the brood mares that are bred each year 

 produce living foals ; this enormous loss is largely due to neglect and 

 carelessness. Idleness must be avoided. Mares which work regu- 

 larly are more certain to bring good foals than idle ones, yet judg- 

 ment must always be used in working them. Pulling too hard, back- 

 ing heavy loads, wading thru deep snow or mud, or other over- 

 exertion is dangerous. When not worked, the mare should be turned 

 out daily for exercise. As foaling time approaches, the work should 

 be lightened, and preferably discontinued 3 days to a week before 

 foaling. When laid off, the mare should still be allowed exercise. 

 Mares heavy in foal are apt to be cross and quarrelsome, but they 

 should always be handled gently. 



Feeding a working brood mare is simpler than feeding an idle one. 

 The essentials are a well-balanced ration of good-quality feeds, con- 

 taining a liberal supply of protein, lime, and phosphorus, which are 

 needed for the growth of the fetus. An abundance of these nutrients 

 is especially needed by pregnant mares that have not yet finished their 

 own growth, and those that are suckling foals, for there is then a 

 double draft on the mothers. All feeds should be free from dust, 

 mold, or decay, which might cause abortion. Mares used only for 

 breeding purposes do well without grain when on nutritious pasture. 

 With insufficient pasture and in winter some grain should be given. 

 The feed should not be concentrated in character but should have 

 considerable bulk or volume. The bowels should be kept active thru 

 a proper combination of such feeds as bran, linseed meal, roots, etc. 



Gestation period and foaling time. — The average period of gesta- 

 tion for the mare is about 11 months, or 340 days, tho it may vary 

 quite widely. Shortly before foaling the grain allowance should be 

 decreased and laxative feeds more freely used. To avoid infection 

 which may cause navel ill and joint disease, the stall in which the 

 mare is to foal should be thoroly cleaned and disinfected. The mare 

 should be given a half bucket of water before foaling, and when on 

 her feet again she will need a drink of water or, better, of gruel made 

 from half a pound of fine oatmeal in half a bucket of lukewarm water. 

 A light feed of bran is good for the first meal and this may be fol- 

 lowed by oats, or by equal parts by bulk of corn and bran. After 

 foaling the mare should be confined for a few days, her ration being 

 simple and not too abundant. With favorable conditions, after 4 or 

 5 days she may be turned to pasture, and in about 2 weeks, or even 

 before if work is urgent and the mare has fully recovered, she may go 

 back to light work. 



Only the quick-maturing draft filly should under any cireum- 



