CHAPTER XIX 



THE BROODMARE 



Brood mares have proven to be economical producers 

 of farm work, since the value of the foals produced more 

 than offsets the loss of labor and the increased feed as 

 compared with mules or geldings. The brood mare is 

 especially a dual purpose animal. She produces both 

 work and foals. There are few people that can afford 

 to keep a brood mare solely for the colt that she will 

 produce. 



FEEDING 



Feed during the breeding season. 



Feeding the brood mare is very similar to feeding the 

 work horse, except that the brood mare, in addition to 

 doing regular work, is getting in condition for breeding, 

 suckling a colt, or developing the foetus of the young. In 

 either case the brood mare needs more protein and ash 

 than is required for the work horse, but the supply of 

 carbohydrates or energy-producing foods must also be 

 large, owing to the work that she is doing. In obtaining a 

 ration, then, that is suitable for a brood mare during the 

 breeding season, one must give feeds that are slightly 

 higher in protein than those needed for work horses. Such 

 feeds as oats, balanced with oil meal or bran and good 

 bright clover or alfalfa hay, are suitable for this purpose. 

 The feed prior to the breeding season should keep the mare 



274 



