OF BROOD MARES. 29 



plethora. It should consist of good sweet hay, carrots, 

 oats, peas, or beans, with bran or the like. But for 

 mares, and indeed all horses exposed to the changes of 

 atmosphere, I consider peas or beans and bran the best 

 and most wholesome food. Of which two quarterns 

 per day with a quartern of bran will be ample, com- 

 mencing on November 1, and ending May 1. 



The mare will thus be kept in fair condition, and 

 should any untoward event present itself such as 

 slipping her foal, inflammation of the womb or udder 

 she will have sufficient stamina to contend with either 

 the one or the other, with reasonable hopes of a favour- 

 able result, and will thus lessen the greatest risks of 

 horse-breeding. 



I consider that a good roomy shed with the east, 

 north, and west sides well secured from wet and 

 cold winds, affords ample shelter for both mares and 

 foals. 



Where there is convenience for bringing in every 

 mare to a comfortable loose box every night, it should, 

 no doubt, be adopted ; though I am confident it is 

 unnecessary, and greatly adds to the expense. 



One thing, however, is indispensable, and that is, that 

 each mare be tied up to consume her food morning and 

 evening, or some will be sure to fare better than others. 



One man can look after and feed twenty-five mares 

 without help, if kept in the ordinary way, but when 

 each mare is to be brought home separately, half this 

 number would be as many as he could attend to 

 properly. 



