VI THE MARE 75 
time or from subsequent neglect. She should be 
watched as soon as January is out, and if suspected 
of being in season, should be tried, and a note made 
of the date; and she should never after be allowed 
to come in season without its being reported, until 
the time arrives when it is decided to cover her. 
For agricultural and half-bred stock the first service 
should not take place earlier than the end of March. 
I myself consider that foals do as well and are much 
less trouble, besides being kept much cheaper, when 
foaled not earlier than April, as foals that arrive 
sooner suffer as a rule from confinement, and the 
mares do not give so much or such suitable milk 
as when there is grass to be picked up. If the 
mare is a maiden in ordinary work, it will be as 
well for a month previous to her going to the horse 
to feed her on cooler diet than usual—fewer oats 
and less dry food,—in lieu, bran or linseed mashes. 
When taken to the horse she should have been two 
days in season, and if a maiden she should be served 
again before the pride goes off her. 
Opinions vary as to the best time to serve a 
mare. Some consider the service most efficacious 
just before the pride goes off, others just at its height. 
I do not think any rule can be laid down. Sub- 
sequently the mare should be tried regularly every 
three weeks’ end and every month’s end, and whether 
refusing the horse or not, she should be tried at 
these periods till the end of June at least, as many 
mares will refuse the horse for several successive 
periods, and then come in season again perhaps 
without any great show of their condition, Half 
the mares that are geld are so because the mare 
