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Proper conduct with Mares. 



If there be any defect in your Seed Horse or 

 Mares, as to their ancient blood, or as to any 

 present disease, or ill form of any kind, it will 

 affect the sprightliness, health and activity of 

 your colts, allowing that your mares thus con- 

 ceive. Choose horses as free from 'these de- 

 fects as possible. It is thought proper for 

 these horses, previous to their coming together, 

 to be kept on clean oats and good old hay, for six 

 weeks or a month at least. Let them come to- 

 gether in the morning fasting. If the mare is 

 not ready, she may be courted by any otlier lit- 

 tle horse that is sufficient for the purpose : let 

 her be tied to a post, or stand perfectly in her 

 own humour, without holding her up. When 

 she is ready to receive the horse, let the horse 

 be brought out to her with strong men on each 

 side of him, to keep him orderly and straight 

 forward till he leaps her. Let the cover be as 

 natural and harmonious as possible. As soon as 

 he is off, put on a pail of cold water ; take the 

 mare carefully away, and keep her from all hor- 

 ses, or the hearing of any, for three weeks, with- 

 out her doing any labour. When she has taken 

 the horse, let her not eat for four hours, nor drink 

 till night, and let her food be as formerly, till the 

 colt is well formed. After three weeks, let her 

 be used carefully, without galloping her, with- 

 out running her, without carrymg heavy bur- 

 dens on her back ; w^ithout using her in very 

 hot weather, and without sweating her; for 

 either ©f these will cause her to cast her 

 young. Be careful lest at any time she meets 

 with a blow,^ or bruise, or strain, or wrench, or 

 smells blood, at any time before she foals, lest 

 she cast her young. When foaling, see that she 



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