BREEDING HORSES. 75 



there are exceptions to this, however, but even supposing a 

 n are should be served when not in season, conception will not 

 take place. 



Sigrns of GEstrum — The fact of oestrum being present 

 is more or less apparent; the mare when in season is inclined 

 to kick and is very touchy or ticklisli about the hindquarters ; 

 the appetite is often irregular; when approached by other 

 horses, the mare may squeal and swish the tail about; she 

 makes frequent attempts to stale, but passes very little urine; a 

 viscous, whitish liquid is secreted at intervals, and the visible 

 part of the generative organs becomes slightly swollen. In 

 the case of some mares, the manifestations of oestrum being 

 present are not very marked, and may even escape notice, 

 unless the owner or attendant is specially on the look-out for 

 them. This particularly applies to drauglit mares. 



The Period of (Estrum, as a rule., lasts from four to 

 six days ; it may be shorter or longer. (Estrum recurs at 

 pretty regular intervals, tlie average duration of the inten'al 

 being about three weeks. Mares that have conceived and are 

 carrying a foal do not come into season, except in very rare 

 cases. The cessation of the periodical occurrence of oestrum 

 is therefore a certain sign of a maie being in foal as a general 

 rule. 



Service. — One service on the part of tlie stallion may be 

 sufficient to put a mare successfully in foal. It is, however, 

 very inadvisable to rely on a single service, because the 

 chances are great that it has failed to be successful. The 

 mere fact of a stallion serving a mare does not by any means 

 iii'ply that she will become in foal. It is customary, and 

 liighly advisable, to " try " the mare again tliree weeks after 

 tlie first service; that is to say, she is ]iut to the horse again, 

 and served a second time if slie will take the stallion. If she 

 refuses him, it may be inferred that she has conceived all right 

 the first time. If a mare shows signs of oestrum some time 

 after the second service, she should again be put to the horse, 

 if it is not too late in the season. 



