108 BREEDING AND MANAGEMENT. 



surgeon, rather than to run the risk of injuring the mare by 

 violent attempts to relieve her. 



After the mare has foaled, she should be turned into some 

 well-sheltered pasture, with a shed or hovel into which she may- 

 run when she pleases. If she has foaled early and the grass 

 is scanty, she should have a feed or two of oats or Indian corn 

 daily ; if the corn is given in a trough upon the ground, the foal 

 will partake of it with her. Nothing is gained at this time by 

 starving the mare and stinting the foal. When the new grass 

 is plentiful, the quantity of grain may be gradually diminished. 

 The proper care of young foals will repay a hundred-fold ; this 

 being, indeed, the most critical period of the animal's life, when 

 attention or neglect prouuccs the most noticeable and permanent 

 results. 



If convenient, the foal may be permitted to run for twelve 

 months at the foot of the mare ; but when mares are kept ex- 

 pressly for breeding purposes, many circumstances render this 

 objectionable. Within about a month or six weeks from foal- 

 ing the mare will be again in heat, and should be put to the 

 horse ; at the same time, also, if she is used for agricultural 

 purposes, she may resume light work. At first, the foal should 

 be shut up in the stable during working hours ; but, as it ac- 

 quires sufficient strength, it is better to allow it to follow its 

 dam. The work will contribute to the health of the mother, 

 and increase her flow of milk ; and the foal, by accompanying 

 her, will suck more frequently, thrive better, become tamed, 

 and gradually familiarized with the objects among which it is 

 afterv/ard to live. While the mare is thus worked, she and the 

 foal should be well fed ; and two feeds of corn, at least, should 

 be added to the green food which they get when turned out 

 after their work, and at ui^^'ht. 



