Condition of Mares. 39 



be understood, not that gentleness at grass, which may- 

 lead the breeder's family to jDet the mare, but such a 

 temper as will serve for the purpose of the rider, and 

 will answer to the stimulus of the voice, whip or spur. 

 A craven or a rogue is not to be thought of as the 

 mother of a fliinily ; and if a mare belong to a breed 

 which is remarkable for refusing to answer to the call 

 of the rider, she should be consigned to any task 

 rather than the stud farm. Sulkiness and savageness 

 are likewise to be avoided, whether in stallion or mare. 

 From the time of covering, to within a few days of 

 the expected period of foaling, the cart-mare may be 

 kept at moderate labor, not only without injury, but 

 with decided advantage. It will then be prudent to 

 release her from work, and keep her near home, and 

 under the frequent insj^ection of some careful person. 

 When nearly half the time of pregnancy has elapsed, 

 the mare should have a little better food. She should 

 be allowed one or two feeds of grain in the day. This 

 is about the period when they are accustomed to slink 

 their foals, or when abortion occurs : the eye of the 

 owner should, therefore, be frequently, upon them. 

 Good feeding and moderate exercise will be the best 

 preventives of this mishap. The mare that has once 

 aborted, is liable to a repetition of the accident, and 

 therefore should never be suffered to be with other 

 mares between the fourth and fifth months : for such 

 is the power of imagination or of sympathy in the 

 mare, that if one suffers abortion, others in the same 

 pasture ^vill too often share the same fate. Farmers 

 3 



