320 Western Live-stock Management 



place for trying and breeding the mare, some type of re- 

 straining apparatus for the mare, and a substantial stallion 

 bridle. Mares are very likely to kick when they are being 

 tried or teased. The commonly used teasing pole does not 

 fully protect the stallion, and a much safer arrangement 

 is a solid wall about three feet high and about twelve 

 feet long. Its top should be broad, rounded, and smooth. 

 A good pen in which to confine the foal should be near by, 

 probably directly in front of the mare. Mares in foal 

 are much quieter if the foal is in sight. A breeding 

 stall is also used by many, and is found quite satisfactory. 

 This is made by setting two posts, four feet apart, with a 

 removable bar between them for the mare to bump 

 against. From the posts a side rail is placed so that it 

 will go on each side of the mare and keep her from moving 

 from one side to the other, but low enough to be out of 

 way of stallion and attendant. (See Fig. 32.) 



Breeding hobbles should be used on every mare that is 

 at all nervous or excitable. Even the gentlest of mares 

 sometimes kick unexpectedly. If a stallion is good enough 

 to use as a sire, he certainly deserves full protection. The 

 best type of hobbles consists of a strong neck band or 

 collar with connecting ropes which pass through straps 

 around the hocks. Those that fasten around the pasterns 

 hold just as well, but the ropes are lower, and the mare or 

 stallion is more likely to become entangled with it. It is 

 usually advisable to fix the hobbles in position before the 

 stallion is brought in sight, for nearly all mares are ner- 

 vous when the stallion is near. 



If the stallion has been properly trained and handled, a 

 strong bridle with a plain bar bit and leading rein with a 

 chain in one end is sufficient for controlling him. The 

 chain should be passed through the ring on the near side 



