CHAPTER VI 



THE CARE OF MARE AND FOAL 

 THEIR MANAGEMENT FROM SPRING TO WINTER 



" In-foal " mares can, with advantage to them, be 

 worked up to within a Vv^eek or so of foahng, but during 

 the last month or two of gestation the work should be of 

 a light character. It is a great mistake to put severe 

 strain upon " in-foal " mares later than the period 

 referred to, and it is quite possible that to do so is often 

 accountable for many of the abnormal and difficult 

 presentations met with in mares. Mares w^hich have had 

 on-e or more foals experience less difficulty in the delivery 

 of the foal than in the case of a mare having a first foal. 

 It is wonderful what a remarkable difference there is in 

 brood mares for maternity purposes. Some mares look 

 after their foals in a most kindly manner, allowing the 

 little creature every facility for sucking, whereas others 

 manifest very little interest in their foals, and not a few 

 are vicious, both to their offspring and to strange atten- 

 dants. It is not always the best mares which produce 

 the best foals, but given a fairl}^ good mare and a good 

 sire the offspring is usually good. In the selection of a 

 brood mare an animal of a kindly disposition, in other 

 words of good temperament, is of primary consideration, 

 as vicious propensities are usually transmitted from 

 parent to progeny. A good brood mare is an invaluable 

 asset on any farm, as she can help to stock the farm with 

 horses and at the same time participate in her share of 

 the work on the land, or whatever other purposes she is 

 required for. Heavy draught horses will always be in 



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