98 The Practical Stud Groom. 



days. On the twenty-first day after foaling I would try 

 again, and if still without result would postpone further 

 annoyance of the mare till the thirtieth day after foaling, 

 when I would recommence and try daily for the ensuing 

 seven days. It would be well to keep a close watch on these 

 mares when in the paddocks for suspicious signs during the 

 intervals when " trying " operations have been temporarily 

 discontinued, as some mares are a law unto themselves, and 

 set all rules, regulations, and dates at defiance. 



In no detail of stud management are gentle methods 

 more essential than at the teasing bar. I have seen mares 

 brought up to the "bar" whose every action cried aloud 

 their repugnance to the teaser's advances, yet they have been 

 forced, with blows and shouts, within reach of his nipping 

 teeth. Many mares are completely spoilt by this senseless 

 treatment, and it often takes years to eradicate the memory 

 of this harshness. I trust I have made it clear that dates as 

 dates must not be made a kind of fetish to be slavishly 

 adhered to. Dates are " a useful guide to probabilities " ; a 

 mare should not be covered solely because it is her ninth 

 day, but should only be covered when her actions show 

 plainly that she would welcome the attentions of the sire, 

 be it on the ninth or ninty-ninth day. 



THE NECESSARY SPECULUM. 



On the "ideal" stud farm the stud groom's "medicine" 

 chest will not be complete unless it contains a speculum and 

 an inseminator. I am aware that some stud grooms (of the 

 old school) look somewhat askance at these instruments of 

 comparatively modern introduction, more especially as 

 regards the inseminator. For myself, I am convinced that 

 the speculum, at least, is an almost indispensable instrument 

 during covering time. Even " the boys of the old brigade" 



