42 THE STOCK owner's ADVISER. 



of cattle, but we come far from fully observing the laws of life 

 in procreation. 



The clam should possess broad hips, a large abdomen, or space 

 from the hips to the shoulders. In size, form, and motion she 

 should be of the perfect symmetry and model of beauty. These 

 last conditions are not always necessary, however. I have seen 

 a beautiful colt from an ill-shaped mare. In such cases the foal 

 partakes chiefly of the constitution and disposition of the mother, 

 while its form and size are derived mainly from the sire. This 

 is not the rule, however. 



If well developed, the filly may be bred at three years of age, 

 but many are immature at this age, and should not be bred until 

 four. The custom of breeding two-year-old fillies cannot be too 

 greatly condemned, for at this age they are not qualified to 

 breed satisfactorily. It will greatly retard growth and develop- 

 ment, and may injure form and beauty for life. It is best to 

 breed the mare every other year until she is fifteen years old. 

 If bred every year she will fail more rapidly. As a general rule 

 it is not best to continue breeding her after she is twelve or four- 

 teen years old. 



STERILITY OF THE MARE. 



A mare's sterility is practically decided in the first three years 

 of her breeding life. But she should not be considered sterile 

 until she has been sen'ed by at least three horses. There may 

 be an unsuitableness of the organs of generation, an unfavorable 

 temperament or incompatibility of constitution which would 

 disqualify them for reproduction. 



CAUSES OF BARRENNESS. 



The causes of barrenness may he from congenital deformities, 

 as malformation of the uterus or absence of the fallopian tubes. 

 These conditions cannot be corrected. It may be caused by the 

 obliteration of the neck of the womb, sealing up of its mouth, or 

 inflammation, resulting in adhesions of the walls of the vagina. 

 The greatest cause of sterility in the mare is disease of the ova- 



