540 BREEDING. 



what is desired as possible, though not related. Disposi- 

 tion should be an important consideration, as its inheritance 

 will be as certain as that of phj^sical qualities. 



I giA'e on page 87 a portrait of a remarkably fine 

 Norman horse, imported by E. Dillon & Co., of Illinois, 

 which is but one sample of a large A^ariety of horses of this 

 fine breed for draught purposes, I learn also that Stubble- 

 field & Co., of the same city, are large importers of Norman 

 horses. This breed of horses is remarkable for good dis- 

 position, and exemf)tion from hereditary weaknesses. For 

 a fine model of a thoroughbred, I would call attention to 

 the portrait of the famous Godolphin Arabian, in chapter 

 on Stallions. 



Care of the Mare. 



The mare is said to, go with foal eleven months, or three 

 hundred days ; but it is not uncommon for mares to have 

 fully developed foals in much less time, and in many 

 instances mares have been known to go four or five weeks 

 beyond this time. Time should be so arranged in putting 

 mares, that the colts will come at a time when there is 

 some grass, as the mare Avill do better not to be confined to 

 dry feed. 



The virgin mare, or one that has not had a colt for one 

 season, must be put when she is found in season. The 

 mare that has had a colt will be found in season, and should 

 be put on the eighth or ninth day after foaling ; some pre- 

 fer the eighth, others the eleventh. Good judges claim 

 that it is dangerous to go beyond the tenth, as the mare is 

 apt to come off her heat soon after, and if allowed to go to 

 a later period, the sucking of the colt is likely to reduce 

 the mare too much to allow conception to take j)lace, and 

 thus a year's service of the breeder is lost. 



After putting a mare, the days for trial are the ninth 



