REARING AND FEEDING OF ANIMALS. 331 



In the case both of the horse and the ox, the large expanded chest indicates 

 a disposition to fatten; but if this be carried too far in the horse, he will be 

 incapable of active motion. Such a form may suit the dray-horse, when a 

 large force is to be thrown upon the collar; but would be unsuited to those cases 

 in which we require the power of active motion, or, in technical language, 

 action. 



In a horse where speed alone is required, the chest must not be too broad; 

 but in a horse in which we require active motion, combined with endurance, 

 there should be a sufficient breadth of chest; and a medium, therefore, is what 

 is desired in the hackney and the hunter. In the farm-horse, the chest should 

 be broad; because in the farm-horse we require the power of draught, and not 

 of speed. 



The chest of the horse behind the shoulders should be deep; his back, when 

 we look for strength without sacrificing this to mere speed, should be short; 

 the ribs should approach near to the pelvis, as indicating strength, though, if 

 speed alone be required, this point may be sacrificed. The fore-arm and hind- 

 leg, to the joints, should be muscular, and below the joints tendinous. The 

 trunk should be barrel-shaped, but somewhat elliptical, and gently enlarging 

 from the breast backwards. 



2. Rearing and feeding. In the breeding of the horse, it is important that 

 the parent of either sex be free from disease. It is well known to all breeders, 

 that the diseases of the parents, as well as their good properties, are transferred 

 to their offspring. In breeding, attention should be paid to the female as well 

 as to the male parent, else disappointment may result with respect to the form 

 and properties of the progeny. 



A mare is capable of receiving the male at an early age; but it is an error 

 to commence breeding from any mare before strength has been acquired, and 

 her form developed; and this will rarely be sooner than at three or four years 

 of age. 



The mare comes into season in spring: she goes with young about eleven 

 months, although with an irregularity, even to the extent of several weeks on 

 either side of that period. The most convenient time for her receiving the 

 male is in May, that she may foal in April, when the herbage begins to spring. 

 From the time she receives the male till that of foaling, the farm-mare may be 

 kept at her usual work. She will give notice of the period of foaling, by the 

 extension of the udder, and other symptoms, and she may then be released 

 from work. 



In general, little difficulty or danger attends the parturition of the mare. 

 She rarely requires assistance; but, should difficulty really arise, from the par- 

 ticular position of the foetus, it is well, if possible, to obtain the assistance of a 

 veterinary surgeon, lest the mare be injured by unskilful and violent means. 



As soon as the mare has foaled, she should be placed with her young, either 

 in a house, or, what is better, in a pasture-close, with a shed to which she may 

 go at all times. It is necessary, at this period, to supply her with nourishing 



It is better that the mother be kept in a field, and permitted to suckle the 

 young undisturbed. But yet she may be put, without danger or injury, to 

 moderate work within a short time after foaling. For a time, the foal should 

 be shut up in a house during the hours of work, which then should not be too 

 long; but, after the colt has acquired a little strength, it may be permitted to 

 follow the mother even when at work in the fields. Many, indeed, do not ap- 

 prove of this practice, on account of the chance of accidents to the foal. But 

 accidents seldom occur, and the foal has an opportunity of taking milk more 

 frequently, is the better for the exercise, and becomes used to the objects 

 around it. 



In nine days or more after foaling, the mare will be again in season, and 

 may receive the male. In six months the foal is to be weaned, which is done 

 merely by separating it from the dam. It is then best put in a field: the mother 

 is then put to her ordinary work, and treated as usual. 



At the time of weaning, and during all the period of its growth, the foal 

 should be liberally fed. Bruised oats, meal, or any farinaceous food, may be 



