THE BROOD MARE AND HER FOAL. 117 



CONCLUDING REMARKS ON BREEDING. 



The angry discussions which have taken place in the year 

 1860, between Lord Redesdale and Admiral Rous, indicate plainly 

 what is the general opinion on the subject of the diminution in 

 the stoutness of our horses. Breeders, therefore, should turn their 

 attention to this point, and should be doubly careful to avoid 

 weedy or diseased sires and dams. It cannot be denied that our 

 modern thorough-breds possess size and speed ; but they certainly 

 do not shine in staying powers, as I have already more than once 

 remarked. But there are some strains particularly free from this 

 defect, and these I have endeavored to point out. It should not, 

 moreover, be forgotten that though the thorough-bred horse will 

 bear more work, especially at high speed, than any other kind, yet 

 he can only do this if well fed and warmly housed. Being a 

 native of a warm and dry climate, he requires to be protected from 

 the weather ; and the young stock must be well reared in all re- 

 spects, or they will never pay. If, therefore, the breeder is not 

 determined to put up warm hovels in every paddock, and if he is 

 stingy of his corn, he had far better let his stud of mares be com- 

 posed of lower bred animals. If a thorough-bred horse and a 

 donkey are both fed upon the lowest quantity and quality of food 

 which will keep the latter in condition, the donkey would beat its 

 high-bred antagonist over a distance of ground — that is to say, sup- 

 posing the experiment to be continued long enough to produce a 

 permanent effect upon the two animals. A cart-horse colt, or one 

 of any kind of low blood, will do well enough if reared, till he is 

 put to work, upon grass and hay ; but a race-horse or hunter, of 

 high breeding, would show a badly-developed frame, and be com- 

 paratively worthless for his particular kind of work, if he were not 

 allowed his corn from the time that he is weaned. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

 THE BROOD MARE AND HER FOAL. 



The Hovel and Paddock — General Management of the BroocF 

 Mare — Treatment when in Foal — After Foaling — Early Man- 

 agement oj the Foal — Weaning. 



Having already alluded to the principles which should 

 guide the breeder in the choice of his mares, I need not further 

 allude to them beyond the remark that, independently of those 

 which 1 have indicated, he must take care that they are each pos- 

 sessed of a frame suitable to carry a foal, and of a constitution 

 hardy enough to sustain the drain upon the system caused by the 



