CHAPTER II. 

 PADDOCKS AND PASTURES. 



The Paddocks should practically be level or only gently 

 undulating. Steep slopes are a prolific source of jarred 

 joints and sprained shoulders in young stock, and are strictly 

 to be avoided with mares that are heavy in foal. Thick, 

 well-trimmed hedges of holly, thorn or beech, singly or in 

 combination, form an ideal fence and wind-break. Where 

 these do not already exist, the quick-growing Austrian pine 

 may be planted in ground thoroughly prepared and manured, 

 care being taken not to plant too closely together, to ensure 

 that the trees shall be well "feathered" from the ground 

 upwards. The paddocks should be of various dimensions. A 

 few small ones of about half an acre at most, laid out adja- 

 cent to the brood mares' boxes, are almost indispensable 

 during the foaling season, especially during January, 

 February, March and April. The stud groom, even with 

 paddocks of this small size, will often find himself wishing 

 he could reduce their dimensions by one-half when he is 

 apprehensively watching some mare, with foal at foot a few 

 weeks old, recklessly careering round, revelling in her first 

 unrestricted liberty since foaling ; and this in spite of daily 

 bouts in the sand ring and daily leading out. These small 

 paddocks should be divided, either with rather low hedges or 

 double fences, to admit of each mare seeing her neighbour in 

 the adjoining paddock at close quarters without coming into 

 actual contact. This proximity will serve to allay natural 



