CHAPTER XXVII 

 THE BROOD MARE 



The mare used for breeding purposes should receive 

 careful attention. This need not lessen her usefulness 

 as a worker to any considerable extent, but is very im- 

 portant, as the wrellbeing of both mare and foal depends 

 upon such attention. 



Care of brood mare. — In our attempt to favor the mare 

 in foal, we often subject her to very unfavorable condi- 

 tions. Often she is placed in a stall, fed the most nutri- 

 tious of foods and denied exercise, particularly in winter, 

 as we are afraid she will slip and injure herself or the 

 foal. Under such conditions she soon stocks up, the legs 

 become swollen and stiff, she takes on fat rapidly and 

 becomes soft and flabby, all of which serve to increase 

 the difficulties at parturition time. It is a much better 

 plan to keep the mare in foal at moderate work, .even up 

 to the day of foaling, as this will provide the needed 

 exercise, which is so essential to the wellbeing of both 

 mare and foal. 



AVhere a large number of brood mares are kept, it is 

 often impossible to supply work for them, particularly 

 in the winter season. If possible, it is a good plan to 

 provide each mare with a box stall, at least lo by 12 feet 

 square. Each stall sh'ould be arranged with a door 

 facing the south and opening into a small paddock or 

 yard, so that each mare may have her own exercising 

 ground. This will provide for exercise and avoid many 

 distressing accidents, as mares in foal are usually quarrel- 

 some and often injure each other when exercising two 

 or more in a paddock. Where box stalls and small yards 

 are not practical, a good, tight shed well protected on 

 the north and west, but open to the south, will do very 

 well for mares, if they have plenty of room, particularly 



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