320 Western Live-stock Management 
place for trying and breeding the mare, some type of re- 
straining apparatus for the mare, and a substantial stallion 
bridle. Mares are very likely to kick when they are being 
tried or teased. The commonly used teasing pole does not 
fully protect the stallion, and a much safer arrangement 
is a solid wall about three feet high and about twelve 
feet long. Its top should be broad, rounded, and smooth. 
A good pen in which to confine the foal should be near by, 
probably directly in front of the mare. Mares in foal 
are much quieter if the foal is in sight. A breeding 
stall is also used by many, and is found quite satisfactory. 
This is made by setting two posts, four feet apart, with a 
removable bar between them for the mare to bump 
against. From the posts a side rail is placed so that it 
will go on each side of the mare and keep her from moving 
from one side to the other, but low enough to be out of. 
way of stallion and attendant. (See Fig. 32.) 
Breeding hobbles should be used on every mare that is 
at all nervous or excitable. Even the gentlest of mares 
sometimes kick unexpectedly. Ifa stallion is good enough 
to use as a sire, he certainly deserves full protection. The 
best type of hobbles consists of a strong neck band or 
collar with connecting ropes which pass through straps 
around the hocks. Those that fasten around the pasterns 
hold just as well, but the ropes are lower, and the mare or 
stallion is more likely to become entangled with it. It is 
usually advisable to fix the hobbles in position before the 
stallion is brought in sight, for nearly all mares are ner- 
vous when the stallion is near. 
If the stallion has been properly trained and handled, a 
strong bridle with a plain bar bit and leading rein with a 
chain in one end is sufficient for controlling him. The 
chain should be passed through the ring on the near side 
