454 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK 



coarse-limbed, the mare should be clean of limb aud supple 

 jointed; and so with other points in the structure of either. 

 'No doubt this notion is correct to some extent, but the 

 limits of those conditions within which it may be acted upon 

 with definite certainty as to results are exceedingly circum- 

 scribed. ]^o seriously defective mare will bring a fine colt, 

 let the excellence of the horse be what it may. It is only 

 the fine mare, of superior size, mold, and condition, that can 

 be expected to bring a first-class colt. Such mares, and no 

 others, should be selected for the purpose of raising colts ;• 

 and if any others are permitted to breed at all, they should 

 be put t^ the jack, in which case they may do pretty well in 

 keeping up the stock-raiser's supply of mule colts. 



CASTRATING. 



In relation to the age of the colt at which this operation 

 should be performed there is a great diversity of opinion, 

 even among experienced horsemen. The limits range all 

 the way between the age of four months and two years, both 

 which extremes, as well as all intermediate periods, have 

 been advised in different cases. These differences are ar- 

 ranged with reference to certain physical developments of 

 the colt, which are deemed essential to qualify him for the 

 duties to which he is to be assigned at maturity. Thus, some 

 writers tell us that the colt designed for the carriage or 

 heavy draught should not be cut until he is two or three 

 times older than his companion that is destined to the com- 

 mon purposes of the farm. 



Our own opinion is that castration should always be per- 

 formed very early ; in fact, that it should very rarely be de- 

 ferred to even the age of four months, the minimum limit as 

 now usually established. We are satisfied that, in the case 

 of pigs, lambs, and calves, at least, this operation can hardly 

 be attended to too early, and analogy would seem to indicate 

 the propriety of the same course with the colt. With the 

 beginning of the latter's second year, his pubescence is at- 

 tained. Often before the close of the first year his actions 



