The Brood Mare 279 
leading the mare up to one side of a teasing pole, and then 
leading the stallion on the opposite side and allowing 
him to bite and otherwise play with her, which process is 
known as teasing. If the mare is in heat she will submit to 
the teasing, and show signs of heat, but if not, she will 
fight and attempt to kick the stallion. It is sometimes ad- 
visable to permit the stallion to tease her for several minutes, 
for some mares, particularly fillies, are shy about accepting 
the stallion, and will not at first exhibit signs of heat. The 
presence of heat is indicated by passing a white viscous 
fluid, and by a nervous, excitable condition. Usually if 
the mare is in pasture with other mares or geldings, they 
will be riding or teasing her. These signs, however, 
should not be relied on, as a mare may pass through several 
periods of heat without making any apparent signs, even 
though she is worked every day and the driver is watching 
to tell when she comes in. The only safe way is to try 
her with the stallion. As the mare stays in heat from 
three to five days, it is not necessary to try her less than 
every five days. The larger part of stallion men practice 
trying once a week, which is fairly satisfactory if not 
neglected. 
To insure that the mare will get in foal, and that there 
is no disease, she should be properly examined. A blood- 
shot condition of the eyelids or vulva often indicates some 
ailment, and an excited condition. Very often, also, the 
neck of the uterus or the os is closed, and if so, the mare 
will not become pregnant, as the spermatozoa cannot 
enter the uterus. If such is the case, the mare should be 
opened by inserting a finger into the mouth of the os, and 
gently dilating the same. 
Barrenness is also met with. Mares may be barren 
because of imperfectly formed sexual organs, diseased 
