Covering Time. 103 



seriously disputed that stallion No. 2 batch will be more 

 virile than stallion No. 1 batch ? If so much is granted, 

 does it not follow that if stallion No. 2 covers twenty-four 

 rnares once only with successful results, the two dozen foals 

 would still have a margin of advantage in respect of vitality 

 over the dozen that were the result of thirty-six covers? My 

 point is, that the three-service man trusts to luck to hit on 

 the " physiological moment," while the speculum man 

 depends on his instrument as a guide as to when the iron is 

 hot enough to be struck with effect. Of course, there are 

 times when theories and ideals have to go by the board. For 

 instance, when it happens that three or four mares are 

 simultaneously in the desired condition, the calls on the 

 stallion must of necessity rapidly follow each other, lest the 

 golden opportunity slip and valuable time be lost in conse- 

 quence. Subject to these unavoidable conditions, an 

 " ideal " rule would be, that the stallion should make one 

 service every other day. 



THE SERVICE. 



And now to come to the actual Covering Operations. 

 The mare being found in a complacent mood, and the 

 generative organs in ideal condition, she can be taken to the 

 covering yard and securely hobbled. Various types of 

 hobbles are in use, but the essentials of good ones are that 

 they should be soft and pliable, but of undoubted strength. 

 On the next page I have roughly sketched the kind of 

 hobbles and methods of fixing them favoured by me. 



The material is soft cotton rope, five-eighths of an inch 

 in thickness, the neck piece covered with soft leather to pre- 

 vent it chafing the mare should she struggle. The hock 

 straps are of stout pliable leather, crossed, and with strong 

 iron D's attached, to which the two leg ropes are 



