BROOD MARES AND FOALS. 



Never breed from a weed; take care that they have plenty of 

 back ribs, and they cannot be too deep in the girth. The height 

 is of no consequence; a brood mare should never be too fat, though 

 she must always be kept well. 



Mares in foal should be fed regularly : the feed of corn or boiled 

 food being rather under than over the ordinaiy allowance. Bean 

 and pea straw should not be given, unless this fodder is the food 

 which the mare has been accustomed to during the whole winter ; 

 and even in such case a small allowance of hay given at midday 

 or in the evening, is always advisable. When bean-straw only forms 

 a part of the fodder — namely, in the spring months — the mares in 

 foal should be continued on wheat or oat straw; still better, a 

 portion of the fodder should be rye-grass hay. Hoven and colic 

 are generally induced by feeding wholly on bean or pea straw — 

 frequently injuring the colt, and sometimes causing abortion. These 

 derangements of the organs are also occasionally brought on by 

 feeding with bean-meal, raw potatoes, or Swedish turnip. To keep 

 the digestive organs in a proper state, bran mashes are the most 

 suitable. Near the period of parturition these may be allowed 

 twice a-day, although one in the twenty-four hours is usuallj^ more 

 advisable. If half a handful of salt is added occasionally, it will 

 give more tone to the system. 



Another and equally common cause of accident to mares in foal 

 is improper working. Mares, for at least three months previous to 

 foaling should not be worked. During wet days, or even showers, 

 they should not be exposed. If the}'' get wet, they should be rubbed 

 dry, and a wai-m mash allowed upon returning to the house. 



The mares should be housed at night all the year round, and if 

 their pasture is rich feed them the last thing before turning out in 

 the morning to prevent them being too eager for the grass. The 

 best hay should be procured. The last week in March or during 

 April is the best time for foaling, though some say you cannot breed 

 too early. Keep the mare's system cool, and give a mash occa- 

 sionally, especially before foaling. 



For at least one month prior to fociling, the mare should be placed 

 in a loose box. This may be formed in the end of an open cattle 

 shed, provided it is made comfortable by boards or straw kept in 

 position by strong bars and common fence railing. The mare 

 should be loose, not tied to anything, and all harness, (fcc, removed 

 during the night to prevent accidents. If the mare is turned out 



