BREEDING HORSES. 73 



CHAPTEI: XV. 



BREEDING HORSES. 



Proper Age for Breeding: — Fillies of the heavy 

 draught horse class are often put to the horse ^vhen two 

 years of age, so that they bring a foal at three years old. This 

 plan should, however, only be followed if the filly is well 

 developed and forward in condition; if a hily is backward and 

 lias not made satisfactory growth, it would be quite wTong 

 to breed from her so early, as this will stunt her development 

 and prevent her from ultimately attaining the maximum size. 

 Most draught fillies, if tliej have been properly treated, will 

 be quit© ready to be put to the horse at three years old. 

 Fillies of the light class ought not to be bred from until they are 

 (Ijree years of age, and then only if their development and 

 growth is satisfactory. It must here be remarked that it is 

 inadvisable to breed from hunter and harnossi fillies intended 

 for sale, because their appearance is apt to suffer if they have 

 a foal. Mares will continue to breed foals until they are over 

 twenty years of age, more especially if they are regularly bred 

 from. 



The Gestation Period of mares lasts, on an average, 

 ai»proximately eleven months, or forty-eight weeks. Its 

 length, however, varies in different cases, and it may be longer 

 or shorter than the average time. 



The Breeding* and Foaling Season extends over 

 tlie spring, the principal foaling months being March, April, 

 and May. A mare ought not to be served later than June, as 

 otherwise her foal will be born too late in the season ; late 

 foals do not, according to the general opinion of horse-breeders. 



