276 Western Live-stock Management 



normal condition. A grain ration consisting of one-half 

 oats and one-half bran by measure has proven very- 

 satisfactory. The feed at this time must not be so 

 heavy that the bowels will be extended more than 

 normally. If it is possible to have the mares on pasture, 

 so much the better, as this is the natural condition for 

 horses. After foaling, the mare will not need any feed 

 for a few hours, and then the first feed should be a bran 

 mash or something cooling in its general nature. This 

 should be followed in five or six hours with a small feed 

 of bran and oats, providing the mare is getting along 

 nicely. Then later the feed can be gradually increased, 

 depending on the condition of the mare and foal. If the 

 mare seems to have an over-abundance of milk, it is some- 

 times necessary that she be not fed very heavily, but if 

 her milk-flow is lacking, it will be necessary to feed more 

 heavily to try to increase the flow. For this purpose, 

 very good results are obtained by some green feed, such as 

 good pasture, or grass which is cut and given the mare. 

 As the mare gets into good physical condition, her ration 

 may be gradually changed back to that fed when the mare 

 was suckling a colt. 



BREEDING PRACTICES 



Season to breed. 



Nearly all foals come in the spring of the year, although 

 artificial conditions may sometimes make it undesirable 

 for the foals to be born at this season. With race horses, 

 and usually with show horses, the ages are counted from 

 January 1st of the year of foaling, regardless of the actual 

 age. In such cases, it is necessary to have the mares foal 

 as soon after January 1st as possible. Under farm condi- 



