Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



503 



eligible to registry, and hence of greater market value. In breeding 

 carriage, saddle, and roadster horses, it is essential in most cases that 

 purebred mares be used. 



Well-developed feminine character and a good disposition are fun- 

 damental qualities in a brood mare, as such mares are usually more 

 regular breeders, better mothers, and more easily handled and worked 

 than are mares of masculine appearance or mean, vicious, or highly 

 nervous disposition. The brood mare should have a long underline, 

 and a deep, full-made, roomy middle. 



Well-developed draft fillies may be bred when two years old; 

 others should not be bred until three years old. The duration of 



Fig. 198.- rercheruM bruud la-.r^c .;. harness aL tiie Ur.ivLrsity uf Illinois. 

 Prof. J. L. Edmonds states that they are "good, medium-sized mares, 11 and 12 years 

 old, good workers, and good producers." Tractors cannot compete with these. 



pregnancy in mares is quite variable, but averages about 340 days. 

 A two-year-old stallion may breed 8 or 10 mares in the season, a three- 

 year-old from 25 to 30, and a four-year-old from 40 to 50. The breed- 

 ing season lasts from 100 to 115 days, and it is important not to use 

 the stallion too heavily at any time. A two-year-old may safely be 

 allowed to cover one mare every five days; a three-year-old, three a 

 week; a four-year-old, three every two days; and a mature horse should 

 be limited usually to two covers daily, and perhaps occasionally he 

 may make three. 



