180 THE BROOD MARE. 



For others it does not so much matter. 

 Indeed, it is often more convenient that 

 the foal should not be born until there is 

 some grass for the dam ; for, besides the 

 question of expense, he thrives best on this, 

 and soon begins to eat a bit for himself. 

 When a mare has so managed her affairs 

 as to foal very late in the year, it is some- 

 time advantageous (if she has plenty of 

 time before her) to let her miss out a year, 

 to come in early the next ; and this is what 

 I have done with mine. 



In a natural state the mare foals very easily, 

 and also in a domesticated condition, if judi- 

 ciously treated, she seldom encounters trouble. 

 It is desirable, in the latter case, that she 

 should have regular exercise (in the former, 

 of course, she takes it for herself), and a 

 moderate amount of w^ork, if performed at 

 a slow pace and with no heavy haulage 

 necessitating muscular strain, even up to a 

 day or tAvo of foaling, is distinctly beneficial. 



