170 MODERN FARRIEll. 



rated from other horses, and left at liberty. In foal*, 

 ing, no assistance should be given, unless it appears 

 to be absolutely necessary. Nature can best per- 

 form her own operations when left to herself. 



If, however, there appears a difficulty in foaling, 

 the hand should be introduced, to ascertain whether 

 the foal presents itself in a proper position, with the 

 head and fore-legs foremost; and if the legs are 

 bent, they should be placed right. If the labour 

 still proves difficult, the mare may be assisted by 

 taking hold of the legs of the foal, and pulling 

 gently eveiy time she makes an effort. But even 

 this assistance must not be given until the nose and 

 legs of the foal become visible. After foaling, the 

 mare should be kept as quiet a possible. 



It is customary to have a mare covered nine days 

 after her foaling, that no time may be lost ; but it is 

 certain, that the mare having, by this means, both 

 her present and future foal to nourish, her ability is 

 divided, and she cannot supply both so largely as 

 she might one only. It would therefore be better, 

 in order to have excellent horses, to let the mares be 

 covered only every other year ; they would last the 

 longer, and bring foals more certainly ; for, in com- 

 mon studs, it is so far from being true that all mares 

 which have been covered bring colts every year, 

 that it is considered as a fortunate circumstance if 

 half, or, at most, two-thirds of them foal. 



99. Crossing the Breed. 



It is always an extremely hazardous speculation 

 to breed from an indifferent animal on either side, 

 under the expectation that the opposite proportions 

 of the horse and mare will produce a happy medium. 

 It very seldom answers the purpose intended. The 

 safest way is to breed from two animals that are 

 exempt from any natural defect. 



