444 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



are needed in both. A proper understanding of the faults 

 and deficiencies of the mare, which vary very much from 

 those of the stallion, is of vital consequence to the breeder. 



Every farmer* knows that one of the prerequisites of a 

 good crop is a fertile, productive soil. Now, the mare may 

 be compared to the soil in which the seed is cast, and it is 

 nearly as reasonable to expect a poor soil to produce a full, 

 prolific crop, as a poor, worn-out mare to bring a large, 

 plump, and healthy colt. * 



Two principal characteristics are required to constitute the 

 mare a good breeder. The first is body, form — especially 

 length between the hips and shoulders, to give room for the 

 growth of the foetus without crowding the intestines, and also 

 breadth, which may be determined by the width of the back 

 and hips. A little, short mare, with a peaked back and hips, 

 and narrow, tucked-up belly, can never make a good breeder. 



The second essential is vitality. Many large mares are 

 found to be deficient in this particular. A small mare often 

 possesses more spirit and activity, a greater share of vital 

 energy and endurance, than one that is larger. Some mares 

 are very dull and stupid, and sluggish in all their motions. 

 This may be remedied, to some extent, by securing the op- 

 posite qualities in the horse, selecting one that has more 

 than an average degree of life and action. On the other 

 hand, if the dam is full of animation, the sire should be one 

 remarkable for mildness and docility rather than otherwise. 



As regards form and size, opposite qualities should be 

 paired, as a general rule. If the mare is small, the horse 

 should be of full size. If the former is of large or medium 

 size, the latter may be somewhat less. But in no case shoiild 

 the mare of any size be bred to a very small horse, unless it 

 is desired to perpetuate the pony breed. 



Mention has already been made of the benefit to be derived 

 from permitting the association of the mare with the horse 

 for several days. It is of more advantage, in fact, to the 

 dam than to the sire. The instincts of Nature will decide 

 the proper period for coition, which will be that most favor- 



