276 Western Live-stock Management 
normal condition. A grain ration consisting of one-half 
oats and one-half bran by measure has proven very 
satisfactory. The feed at this time must not be so 
heavy that the bowels will be extended more than 
normally. If it is possible to have the mares on pasture, 
so mouch the better, as this is the natural condition for 
horses. After foaling, the mare will not need any feed 
for a few hours, and then the first feed should be a bran 
mash or something cooling in its general nature. This 
should be followed in five or six hours with a small feed 
of bran and oats, providing the mare is getting along 
nicely. Then later the feed can be gradually increased, 
depending on the condition of the mare and foal. If the 
mare seems to have an over-abundance of milk, it is some- 
times necessary that she be not fed very heavily, but if 
her milk-flow is lacking, it will be necessary to feed more 
heavily to try to increase the flow. For this purpose, 
very good results are obtained by some green feed, such as 
good pasture, or grass which is cut and given the mare. 
As the mare gets into good physical condition, her ration 
may be gradually changed back to that fed when the mare 
was suckling a colt. 
BREEDING PRACTICES 
Season to breed. 
Nearly all foals come in the spring of the year, although 
artificial conditions may sometimes make it undesirable 
for the foals to be born at this season. With race horses, 
and usually with show horses, the ages are counted from 
January 1st of the vear of foaling, regardless of the actual 
age. In such cases, it is necessary to have the mares foal 
as soon after January Ist as possible. Under farm condi- 
