198 THE PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING 



mares can be assigned as best to allow the horse, since the num- 

 ber that can be properly bred will depend upon their distribu- 

 tion through the season, the age of tlie horse, and his preparation 

 and fitness for the work. The most consen^ative estimate is an 

 average of one service per day the season through for a mature 

 horse. However, the mares do not always come in regular order, 

 distributed throughout the entire season. Hence, it often be- 

 comes necessary to make two or even three covers iri a single day, 

 and this may be done, occasionally, ^dth no injury to the horse. 

 It should not be repeated, however. 



Grooming is necessary, not only to make the horse more at- 

 tractive in appearance, but to assist exercise in maintaining the 

 best of health and condition. The functions of the skin must 

 be kept active. A lack of exercise and neglect in grooming are 

 together responsible for many serious conditions about the legs 

 and feet of the big, lymphatic draft stallions, especially those 

 with much coarse feather. The grooming must not be so rough 

 nor severe as to cause irritation either of the skin or temper, but 

 it should be thorough, with special care taken to keep all parts 

 clean and free from any foulness. 



THE BROOD MAEE 



We have as yet no definite information to show that the parent 

 of either sex has any special influence in determining the char- 

 acter of the offs])ring apart from what is governed by prepo- 

 tency. The relative influence of sire and dam is apparenihj in 

 favor of the sire because the female line is so often lost or un- 

 traced. Many noted families, however, have been founded by 

 females, and the evidence of Arab pedigrees, which have been 

 traced through the dams for centuries, demonstrates the impor- 

 tance of the mare. 



The dam is not only a source of hereditary transmission, like 

 the sire, but she serves as a host to the developing foetus. Selec- 

 tion of the brood mare involves the same general consideration 

 as selection of the stallion. Her manifestation of sex character 

 is found in a comparatively light forehand, a sweet, refined head 



