MARE AND COLT. 77 



Going to such sires and using such dams to breed work horses 

 is cruelty to man and beast. A horse is fitted for its business 

 just as much as a minister, a lawyer or a doctor. And when 

 you get one out of its natural profession you make a mistake. 

 Such animals will do better to go single ; but then they are 

 apt to be fretty. 



If the mare is difficult to get with foal or has never had a 

 colt, take her to the sire at the first heat in the spring. Try 

 a young horse which has been exercised all winter. If these 

 attempts fail turn her to pasture with a stud colt, and let her 

 run there a couple of months. 



It is a mistake to work a mare all day and tire her out, 

 and then take her to the horse. The best time is in the 

 morning when she is not exhausted. Let there be full vigor, 

 and never force at the time of stinting. 



A foal may come any time, but in the early spring is 

 best. Autumn colts will do well if carefully wintered. Colts 

 born in midsummer fly-time should be housed during the 

 day, and the mare fed green food. These extra cares are 

 an objection to this time of breeding. The surest time for 

 conception is the ninth day after foaling. 



If a mare is inclined not to have much milk before foal- 

 ing, feed her for six weeks ahead to produce milk. Give 

 her clover hay ; carrots, a peck a day in two feeds ; wheat 

 middlings, six quarts and oats six quarts. Rub her udder 

 several times a day and stretch it. 



A mare carries her foal from eleven months to fourteen, 

 usually about eleven. 



As mares vary so much in the period of gestation, the 

 only safe plan is to put your animal in a separate stable or 

 suitable box-stall at about ten months from service. 



When a mare in foal gets all the clover hay she wants, 

 she has the best food she can have, and no grain is neces- 



