CHAPTER XIX 
THE BROOD MARE 
Broop mares have proven to be economical producers 
of farm work, since the value of the foals produced more 
than offsets the loss of labor and the increased feed as 
compared with mules or geldings. The brood mare is 
especially a dual purpose animal. She produces both 
work and foals. There are few people that can afford 
to keep a brood mare solely for the colt that she will 
produce. 
FEEDING 
Feed during the breeding season. 
Feeding the brood mare is very similar to feeding the 
work horse, except that the brood mare, in addition to 
doing regular work, is getting in condition for breeding, 
suckling a colt, or developing the foetus of the young. In 
either case the brood mare needs more protein and ash 
than is required for the work horse, but the supply of 
carbohydrates or energy-producing foods must also be 
large, owing to the work that she is doing. In obtaining a 
ration, then, that is suitable for a brood mare during the 
breeding season, one must give feeds that are slightly 
higher in protein than those needed for work horses. Such 
feeds as oats, balanced with oil meal or bran and good 
bright clover or alfalfa hay, are suitable for this purpose. 
The feed prior to the breeding season should keep the mare 
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