MANAGEMENT OF BKOOD MARES. 81 



18 to 21 days after being bred in this way. In- 

 cidentally it may be said that this is true of 

 most farm animals — certainly of cows and ewes, 

 as well as mares. Mares, of course, will make a 

 tremendous fuss, but that must be put up with 

 because it is for the good of all parties con- 

 cerned. I have no intention of straying out of 

 the equine field, but I have by advocating this 

 practice helped more than one dairyman out 

 who could not induce his cows and heifers to 

 come around so that they would have their 

 calves in the early winter. If any one wants 

 good early lambs, moreover, let him get his ram 

 so that he is not afraid — a good active chap — 

 hold the ewe by the head, let the ram serve her, 

 and then see if she will not come around loving- 

 ly in due course after the forced service. I do 

 not advocate forced service except as a last re- 

 sort, but it will work every time and there is no 

 danger in resorting to it if the mare is so han- 

 dled that she can not injure the stallion. 



Always be careful to set down accurately the 

 dates on which the mares were covered. On 

 the average, as has already been stated, the 

 pregnancy will last not far from forty-eight 

 weeks, or about 340 days. A calendar costs 

 nothing. On one that is of fairly good material 

 mark the dates of covering and trying, then 

 mark the day at the end of forty-eight weeks 

 from the date of the last mating. As that time 

 draws near watch the mare closely. Just how 



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