HORSE-RAISING IN THE WEST. 145 



for a week or more. The horse soon establishes his 

 authority over his harem, and may be trusted to take 

 care of it himself. He keeps his troop well together, 

 and does not allow it to be approached or to approach 

 and mix with another brood. He often finds himself 

 spoiling for a fight with some other patriarch of the 

 range, and on such occasions stops his wives at a safe 

 distance, and goes out alone to meet the enemy. If 

 defeated he retires in good order, driving his wives 

 before him; but, if victorious, he looks out sharply, 

 and, if possible, captures and drives into his harem a 

 stray mare or two belonging to his rival. As a rule, a 

 stud will not allow any geldings in his troop. In the 

 fall the stallions are taken away, after which the mares 

 have to be regularly herded. 



I am indebted to Mr. Edwin Curly for the following 

 return of Mr. Kent's ranch : 



First Year. 



Ranch and stables $3,000 



800 mares @ $28.50 each 22,800 



20 stallions @ $691.50 each 13,830 



Herding 2,500 



Keeping 20 stallions 1,870 



Interest @ 10 per cent, on an average investment of 



$40,000 4,000 



Total $48,000 



Second Year. 



Capital $46,000 



Herding ......... 3,130 



Keeping stallions 1,870 



Interest of 10 per cent 5,000 



Total $56,000 



g k 13 



