12 nOKSES AND HOUNDS. 



CHAPTER II. 



Treatment of mares during gestation and foal-bearing — Management, diet, 

 &c., of the young foals ; arrangements of the stable and paddock for 

 both — Mistakes as to early discipline, and consequent injury to tlie future 

 steed — Careful management as to the hoofs, as well as use of a moderately 

 loose rein, highly necessary — Mistakes of ordinary coachmen on the latter 

 subject — Suggestions for improvements in harness — All irritative mea- 

 sui-es to be avoided. 



The treatment of mares before foaling requires particular 

 attention, and, as at this season of the year, from the beginning 

 of February until the end of April, there will be little grass 

 available for the purpose of inducing a good flow of milk, it 

 will be necessary to have recourse to other substitutes to pro- 

 duce this effect ; carrots have been objected to by some, but my 

 impression is, that the large white Belgian carrot is an excellent 

 vegetable for horses almost at any time, and is of much milder 

 properties than tlie common red kind. Swedish turnips also 

 agree well with horses, who are, likewise, very fond of them • 

 they should be cut into thin slices, having previously been well 

 washed. It is needless to comment upon 'bran mashes, which 

 have always been in such general use ; these may be given every 

 other day, a fortnight before the mare's time of foaling expires, 

 and if some bruised oats are added, they will be more readily 

 eaten. The best way of preparing a bran mash is to pour boiling 

 water upon the bran in a bucket, and cover it over ^^ ith a rug 

 or cloth half an hour at least before it is used, the corn being 

 mixed with the bran and steeped with it. Boiled barley is also 

 an excellent article of food, being very nourishing and produc- 

 tive of milk ; it should be well washed first, and then boiled 

 until quite soft. Horses are also very fond of steamed potatoes, 

 which may be occasionally given mixed with a small quantity 

 of common salt. Mangel wurzel is also a very useful root, but 

 must be given with caution, bei ng of a laxative nature ; but it is 

 a great producer of milk, and to mares in foal I should prefer 

 giving it boiled rather tlian in a raw state. Parsnips are a sweet 

 'and wholesome substitute for green food, although not very 

 productive of milk. 



With some or all of these articles of diet, used alternately, 

 mares may be kept in a healthy and cool state of body, with a 

 good su])ply of milk, until Lucerne, or early grass can be obtained. 

 They should be allowed the use of the paddock, unless in very 

 bad weather, when they may be shut up in their sheds, and at 

 night also; but, as I have before observed, exercise is essential 



