Covering Time. 113 



very short exposure to air and light would be fatal 'to the 

 spermatozoa. The inseminator may also usefully be 

 employed when, during the time the mare is "in season," 

 there is no sign, after several days have passed, of there 

 being a relaxation or dilation of the os. Personally, I am of 

 opinion that it is very rare for the mare to pass through the 

 period of oestrum without the os becoming dilated for a 

 time, which may be short or long according to the tempera- 

 ment of the individual mare. However this may be, it is 

 good practice, when the covering season is getting advanced 

 and the mare shows no sign of a dilated os, to have her 

 covered as the end of the " pride" approaches, and, with 

 the inseminator, to pass the semen carefully through the 

 rigid os into the womb. Although I hold the opinion that an 

 inseminator is an indispensable item in the stud groom's 

 medicine cupboard, I also hold just as strongly that Nature's 

 plans are best, and that the instrument should be held in 

 reserve, only to be called up to her assistance when she is in 

 difficulties generally, it must be admitted, of man's 

 making. 



As to "trials" after service, the practice differs on 

 different stud farms. I am quite content to adhere to a 

 system I have proved to be successful when judged by 

 results. I try the mare lightly on the fourteenth day after 

 service; seven days later I test her thoroughly, and twice a 

 week thereafter till the season ends. If a mare is not 

 " stinted " she usually comes in " season " on the twenty- 

 first day after the previous service. Subject to what I have 

 already stated as to the effects of cold, harsh weather on 

 mares coming, or rather not coming, into " use," I feel safe 

 in saying that the majority of mares that " break " after 

 safely passing their thirtieth-day trial have in reality 

 aborted. 



