CHAPTER III 



THE FOALING MARE 



The treatment of a foaling mare presents so many 

 features of difficulty to a person who is entirely un- 

 acquainted with the subject, that it is not surprising 

 that so few amateurs shrink from the idea of breed- 

 ing foals. In the first instance a popular belief 

 obtains that the services of the mare would be lost 

 for quite a considerable time before and after her 

 offspring is brought into the world ; secondly, it is 

 believed by many that great risk to the life of a 

 mare is incurred by breeding from her ; and thirdly, 

 the amount of looking after she and her foal require 

 has assumed the most formidable proportions in 

 the minds of those initiated in the mysteries of 

 breeding horses. 



Regarding the above questions seriatim, it must 

 be admitted, as is only natural, that a little rest 

 must be permitted the foaling mare towards the end 

 of the period of gestation and after the birth of the 

 foal. The period, however, of her relaxation from 

 work need not necessarily be nearly so prolonged as 

 many persons imagine ; but, on the other hand, as 

 must be obvious to all, very heavy hauling or any 

 severe tax upon her energies is to be deprecated, if 

 the safety of the mare and well-being of her foal are 

 matters for consideration, as of course they must be. 

 Still, it not infrequently happens that the horse 

 owner in a small way is compelled to work his 



