76 HORSE-BREEDING FOR FARMERS CHAP, 
having once or twice refused the horse, she is dis- 
missed from all further consideration with the ex- 
clamation, “She’s standing all‘right.” A foaling 
mare is usually much more easily got in foal than a 
maiden, or one that has missed a year or more, 
especially if served her first pride within eleven days 
of foaling. But equal care should be bestowed on 
all mares. It may be a little troublesome, but the 
trouble is amply repaid by the absence of that dis- 
appointment which all feel when they look for a foal 
that is not there. There are many prescriptions 
advocated by both the knowing and the superstitious 
for getting a mare in foal that refuses to breed. 
There are those who throw a bucket of water over 
the quarters directly after service, those who apply a 
turpentine blister on the loins, and those who bleed. 
I name these as being supported in some degree by 
reason or experience. It is possible that the shrink- 
ing and muscular contraction consequent upon such 
treatment may tend to the retention of the semen, 
or that the withdrawal of the mare’s attention from 
the service may increase the probabilities of con- 
ception. In America and, I believe, in France, a 
simple, though delicate, operation is performed with 
success by veterinary surgeons, by which the 
entrance to the seed-bed is opened artificially ; 
but it is a dangerous experiment for the inex- 
perienced to attempt. The Arabs have a similar 
method. I will not waste time by alluding to super- 
stitions as to phases of the moon or other popular 
fancies, but recommend those who, after taking every 
pains find their efforts unavailing, to try the effect 
of not giving food or water for eighteen hours before 
