THE FOALING MARE 35 



It is the usual practice to have a mare served about 

 nine days after she has foaled, as this is considered 

 a favourable time, and likely to increase the chances 

 of her conceiving. In the case of maiden or barren 

 mares there is no such rule to guide the owner, who 

 must therefore follow out the evidences of nature to 

 the best of his abiHty ; but as mares are usually 

 disposed to accept the attentions of a horse pretty 

 frequently during the spring months, there should be 

 very little difficulty indeed about getting her served 

 about the desired time. The most experienced 

 veterinarian or groom is quite unable to decide 

 positively for several months whether the mare is in 

 foal or not, and therefore it is usual to present her to 

 the horse once or twice at intervals of a fortnight 

 after service, and if she refuses him, her owner will 

 be then justified in hoping for the best; though 

 unfortunately it must be admitted that even then 

 disappointments not infrequently occur. 



The in-foal mare usually becomes languid and 

 more steady shortly after conception has taken place, 

 and she is not so fretful and excited as formerly, 

 though it sometimes happens that evidences of 

 oestrum are present. The latter occurrence need 

 not therefore necessarily lead an owner to decide 

 that his mare is not in foal, though it is quite 

 possible that he may be disconcerted thereat. 

 When it becomes pretty certain that the mare is in 

 foal, it is a wise policy to spare her any violent 

 exercise if it can possibly be avoided, whilst it must 

 be obvious to all that fast work can only be indulged 

 in at the risk of her health and that of her foal. At 

 the same time steady work of an ordinary character 

 can be set her, in fact, exercise is necessary for her 

 well-being at this, and every other, period of her 

 existence. Should it not be necessary to work the 

 mare at all for the last few months of her pregnancy 

 she should be given her liberty in a field or paddock, 



