184 THE BROOD MARE. 



borate precautions usually taken may possibly 

 be necessary ; nevertheless, my own opinion 

 is that the less any horse is regarded as a 

 tender exotic, and the more hardily (consis- 

 tently, of course, with fair and humane 

 treatment) he is reared, the more useful 

 and satisfactory an animal he is likely to 

 become. 



The chief danger incurred during the long 

 period of gestation, which is normally eleren 

 months "(though the mare is very apt to 

 anticipate, or go beyond her time) is that 

 of slipping the foal. This mishap is most 

 apt to occur about the fourth or fifth month, 

 and when once a mare has met with it, it 

 is likely to happen again. The only pre- 

 caution which can be taken is to keep the 

 mare as free as possible from excitement 

 of any kind, particular care being also taken 

 to keep her from the proximity of any 

 other animal which may have miscarried ; 

 it being generally admitted that, either 



