68 The Practical Stud Groom. 



mare's generative organs being in a satisfactory condition 

 when she is due to re-visit the stallion. 



FRESH AIR AND EXERCISE. 



Even at this early stage of the foal's existence any 

 undue " coddling " or pampering should be avoided. 

 Plenty of fresh air is essential, the ventilation and tempera- 

 ture of the box being regulated suitably to the season of the 

 year and prevailing climatic conditions. The end to be kept 

 in view should be to prepare the foal for taking outdoor 

 exercise without harm at the earliest moment its age and the 

 weather will permit. On the fourth day after foaling, the 

 foal is generally quite ready to take outdoor exercise. The 

 great convenience of having an enclosed straw-yard will now 

 be appreciated. There are many stud farms without one 

 which seem to manage satisfactorily ; the difference between 

 studs that have and those that have not is that on the former 

 the work is carried on with efficiency and comparative free- 

 dom from accidents, while on the latter it is "muddled 

 through" with occasional "regrettable incidents." In the 

 absence of a yard, the young foal must perforce take its first 

 outdoor exercise in an open paddock. The mare is led out to 

 the paddock with the foal closely hugging her side. At first, 

 over-awed by strange sights and the novelty of the proceed- 

 ings, it sticks closely to the mare as she is led round, but 

 presently, waxing bold, it cuts a caper or two, and then, 

 rejoicing in the exhilarating freedom after its close confine- 

 ment to its box, dashes off at a headlong gallop. Fences and 

 sharp corners have no meaning to its baby brain, and if it 

 escapes disaster, luck and not good management is entitled 

 to the credit. Whether the excitement and distress suffered 

 by the mare at not being allowed to follow her flying off- 

 spring has done her any harm, may possibly be doubtful, 



