1^46 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



the breeder and groom to keep this just as it is. Now, 

 the dam, beyond doubt, has immeasurably more to do 

 with the temper of the foal than the sire. I have inva- 

 riably observed that a timid or vicious dam would 

 stamp these pecuharities upon her foal. If she leered, 

 and was ugly, the colt would do just as the mother did ; 

 and who can endure a leering, biting, kicking colt in 

 his stables ? Never breed from an ugly-tempered mare : 

 for her colts will surely be like her ; only, in seven cases 

 out of ten, worse. Depravity gets an earlier develop- 

 ment in the child than it had in the parent. Lastly, 

 under this head, see to it that the mare selected for the 

 stud be in perfect health. 



Feel that there is no exception to this; for every 

 trace of disease in the blood of the dam will, from 

 necessity, be imparted to the foal. The embryo will, 

 from the very beginning, be tainted with disease. AH 

 impurities lurking in the parent's system will settle in it. 

 So true is this, that unhealthiness is often bred out of 

 the dam into the foal. The colt is worthless ; but the 

 mare is cured. The disease left the mother, and entered 

 into the offspring, as is the case, often, in the human spe- 

 cies. See to it that the mare is in perfect health when 

 the horse has connection with her ; and, being healthy, 

 then Iceep her so. See to it that she has dry, clean bed- 

 ding, and a good stall. Do not over-feed, lest she accu- 

 mulate fat. Idleness is bad. Give her due measure of 

 exercise. More brood-mares are hurt by standing still 

 than by over-work. My brood-marcs do moderate 



