SREEDING AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE SAME. 303 
foal It is a great error to suppose that a mare that has once 
heeu good, and capable of great exertion, should, when old, and 
no longer fitted for work, produce offspring equally efficient as 
when in her prime. The foal will certainly inherit some of the 
weakness of the present nature and broken-down constitution. 
Mares should never be put to the stallion until they have arrived 
at maturity, which takes place about the fifth year. Mares are 
bred from earlier, but it is a bad practice, for strength and beauty 
are absent; and thus not only is the dam rendered inefficient 
sooner than in one that is allowed to come to maturity, but the 
foal can never be expected to be either healthy or strong in con- 
stitution. The period of going with foal is eleven months. After 
the sixth month, great care and gentleness should be exercised to- 
ward them. Moderate exercise is essential. Hard work in har- 
ness, over bad roads, is likely to produce abortion, and mares that 
have once aborted are very liable (if the same causes are in ope- 
ration) to a recurrence of the same. 
The proper time for copulation is when there is a discharge of 
a whitish fluid from the vagina. She neighs frequently, and ex- 
hibits great desire for the horse. When she has conceived she 
shows no further desire, and the discharge from the vagina stops. 
Some writers recommend that the mare be put to the stallion early 
after foaling. This is bad policy, for the simple reason that the 
dam, if she become impregnated, has to nourish both the foal and 
the embryo. This is excessively weakening, and tells on either 
dam, foetus, cr foal. 
Disproportionate copulations are also objectionable, as, for ex- 
ample, putting a large horse to a small mare. When improve- 
ment in size is the object, it should be attempted by regular 
gradations, This is the best method of securing size and beauty, 
as well as strength. The best mode of preserving the breed and 
making iraprovements is, to make selections of the best on both 
sides. Much judgment and cireumspection is necessary, at all 
times, in crossing the breed, and many errors arise in consequence 
of a want of knowledge on this subject. 
When the period of foaling draws nigh, the mare should be 
separated from her companions. Having foaled, she should be 
turned into a pasture, if possible; otherwise, into a loose box 
inclosure, or empty barn. The foal may be weaned at the age 
of six months, more or less, as circumstances seem to require. A 
