CARE OF THE BROOD MARE AND HER COLT 



Lowell Ivoudebusii, New Kiciimond, Ohio 



Tlie care of the brood mare sliouJd 

 begin at birth; a mother should have 

 been well nourished all her days. How- 

 ever, she should never be overfed a 



common condition found even on the so- 

 called stock farms, and one which ulti- 

 mately results disastrously. 



CV)lthood is the time to lay the founda- 

 tion for motherhood, since the dam is 60 

 per cent in the breeding and rearing of the 



horse. The laying of this foundation is not a difficult problem, 



particularly if the dam is a good suckler. 



ACJE TO BREED 



At what age should a mare be bred? Would that one could 

 always tell a good brood mare at sight ! As a rule, a mare should 

 be bred at four years of age, if not sooner. It is best to have the 

 filly fairly well broken, but nof in spirit, before she is bred. 



KEQUIEEMENTS OF A GOOD BEOOD MAEE 



What are some of the external indications of a good brood 

 mare? Intelligence, docility, non-irritability, a good suckler, 

 one that does not worry about her offspring, and oaie liavino- a 

 large heart girth. The shape of the head and expression of 'the 

 eyes are good indices of intelligence, docility and vitality. 



Fig. 56 shows a group of draft mares in foal, with a foal 

 and a yearling. Two years ago two of the three mares were bred 

 to^a splendid jack. The mule colts were sold at weaning time at 

 $75 apiece, and a yearling horse colt was sold for $125. All 

 three are good individuals, free from blemishes, intelligent, docile, 

 do not fret and are good sucklers. 



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