Management of Foaling Mares. 37 



the mares, provided they have not been confined 

 to their boxes the previous day or two, may safely be let out, 

 as they are too intelligent to gallop on the jarring ground. 

 But they must be got in before the sun has had time to act 

 on the paddock, when the greasy surface and the " bone " 

 underneath constitute a veritable death trap. As hinted in 

 the previous chapter, the stud groom whose equipment 

 includes plenty of straw-yard accommodation has a big 

 advantage over his less fortunate confrere. The former 

 escapes the perplexities and anxiety, and the necessity of 

 taking risks which beset the latter in bad weather. In the 

 absence of straw-yard accommodation, leading the mares out 

 in pairs for fifteen minutes, and longer if the number of staff 

 employed permits, would be time well spent from a health 

 point of view. From the foregoing, it will be gathered that 

 the author attaches great importance to exercise, both as a 

 promoter of health and a preventative of accidents. 



With regard to food, the stud groom must be guided 

 entirely by results. As the trainer aims at racing condition, 

 so, too, must the stud groom ever strive for breeding condi- 

 tion. Three pounds of good bruised oats, mixed with two 

 pounds of scalded bran and fourteen pounds of hay daily, 

 will be found ample in most cases. The oat ration may be 

 increased or dispensed with altogether, according to each 

 individual mare's progress. On most stud farms during the 

 winter months, grass is conspicuous by its absence. To pre- 

 vent constipation of the bowels, sliced carrots daily and lin- 

 seed mashes twice weekly, will be found very efficient sub- 

 stitutes. A lump of rock salt, in a convenient bracket in 

 each box, will also help towards the desired result. 



As the time approaches for the mare to foal, care should 

 be taken to prevent sudden frights and violent galloping. 

 The unexpected discharge of a gun in close proximity, 



