The Brood Mare 279 



leading the mare up to one side of a teasing pole, and then 

 leading the stallion on the opposite side and allowing 

 him to bite and otherwise play with her, which process is 

 known as teasing. If the mare is in heat she will submit to 

 the teasing, and show signs of heat, but if not, she will 

 fight and attempt to kick the stallion. It is sometimes ad- 

 visable to permit the stallion to tease her for several minutes, 

 for some mares, particularly fillies, are shy about accepting 

 the stallion, and will not at first exhibit signs of heat. The 

 presence of heat is indicated by passing a white viscous 

 fluid, and by a nervous, excitable condition. Usually if 

 the mare is in pasture with other mares or geldings, they 

 will be riding or teasing her. These signs, however, 

 should not be relied on, as a mare may pass through several 

 periods of heat without making any apparent signs, even 

 though she is worked every day and the driver is watching 

 to tell when she comes in. The only safe way is to try 

 her with the stallion. As the mare stays in heat from 

 three to five days, it is not necessary to try her less than 

 every five days. The larger part of stallion men practice 

 trying once a week, which is fairly satisfactory if not 

 neglected. 



To insure that the mare will get in foal, and that there 

 is no disease, she should be properly examined. A blood- 

 shot condition of the eyelids or vulva often indicates some 

 ailment, and an excited condition. Very often, also, the 

 neck of the uterus or the os is closed, and if so, the mare 

 will not become pregnant, as the spermatozoa cannot 

 enter the uterus. If such is the case, the mare should be 

 opened by inserting a finger into the mouth of the os, and 

 gently dilating the same. 



Barrenness is also met with. Mares may be barren 

 because of imperfectly formed sexual organs, diseased 



