284 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



permit them to run at large in the fields, where they are 

 exposed to accident resulting from racing, playing or 

 fighting with each other. Pregnant mares are usually 

 quarrelsome, axid abortion frequently occurs from in- 

 juries received at the heels of other horses. If proper 

 care be taken, the mare can be used safely at the ordinary 

 work of the farm up to the very day of foaling. As foal- 

 ing time approaches, however, it is important that the 

 work be not heavy or the pace rapid. Further, the preg- 

 nant mare must not be fretted by the other horses, or by 

 rough, inexperienced hands. 



Feeding the pregnant mare. — The food of the pregnan 

 mare is of most importance. The quality of the ration ,' 

 of as much importance as the quantity. Fat production 

 is to be avoided, and the formation of blood, muscle and 

 bone induced. Foods rich in protein and ash, such as 

 oats, bran, clover and alfalfa are preferred to starchy 

 foods, such as corn and timothy hay. A very good ration 

 for the pregnant mare is as follows : Four parts ground 

 oats, four parts of wheat bran or its equivalent, and one 

 part of linseed meal, with bright clover and alfalfa hay 

 for roughage. If this ration should prove too laxativ( 

 discard the linseed meal, or if too constipating give a bran 

 mash occasionally. By the use of the proper foods, the 

 bowels should be kept in good condition. 



The ration of the mare should be reduced just before 

 and for a short time after foaling, and made more lax- 

 ative by the addition of a succulent food, as carrots or an 

 occasional bran mash. This should be continued until 

 mare and foal recover from the ordeal incident to birth. 



The gestation period. — The mare carries her foal about 

 eleven months, more accurately perhaps 340 days, al- 

 though it may vary greatly either way. Fillies have beeiv 

 known to drop perfectly healthy foals at 300 days from 

 time of service, while older mares have gone 400 days 

 and given birth to living foals. The statement that male 

 foals are carried longer than female foals lacks .con- 



