CHAPTER VIII. 



WINTERING SERVICE STALLIONS. 



The wintering of service stallions is a matter of more importance than 

 it is usually considered to be. The successful wintering of* stallions is the 

 preparatory stage for the reproduction of the species the next season, 

 with a prospect of improvement of the race, and improvement is in- 

 sured by storing up and maintaining all the vigor and endurance of our 

 stallions that the term implies. The successful race-horse is made by 

 development of muscle, nerve-force, lung power, speed, game and endur- 

 ance, which requires time, work, patience and perseverance by his trainer. 

 The successful livery horse requires as careful preparation to make him 

 prohtable to his owner, and the draft horse has to have a like preparation 

 to withstand the strains in pulling great loads, while the stallion, to be 

 successful in the stud for the spring season, must be properly wintered, 

 if we would approach the improvement of the equine race that is aimed at. 



CONDITION FOR WINTERING. 



The stallion should go into winter quarters with a moderate coat of 

 flesh, not fat, nor thin. His shoes, if any, should be removed and his 

 hoofs trimmed down just even with the natural untrimmed sole and the 

 edges rounded nicely to prevent breaking. 



THE I'EET OF THE STALLION REQUIRE GREAT CARE. 



The stallion's feet should be cleaned out every day with a foot-hook 

 to prevent foul matter from collecting about the frog of the feet and 

 producing "thrush," from which the feet become diseased, which some- 

 times renders him worthless. The stallion should have a roomy box-stall 

 warm and well ventilated, and if he cannot be driven daily, he should 

 have a lari;:e exercising lot in connection, in which he can, at will, run in 

 the open jiir. Exercise is just as necessary as food and water for the 

 maintainar.ee of activity of muscles, digestion and nerve force. And the 

 stallion thji.t has plenty of exercise, with kind treatment, will not become 

 vicious or likely to contract bad habits; but the stallion confined in a 

 dark stable is very likely to contract bad habits and become troublesome 

 in some w>y and useless as an important sire. 



EXERCISING LOT FOR THE STALLION WHEN NOT AT 

 WORK. 



The exercising lot should be long and rather narrow, so that the 

 stallion wil not be likely to run in a circle, slip and fall and injure him- 



