124 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



returned to the treasury of the state. There is an annual compe- 

 tition in each province for stalHons four years old or over that 

 have won the above special prizes, at which they may compete 

 for a first prize of 900 francs and a second of 700 francs. 



The examination of stallions usually occurs the sixth year, with 

 a show of foals and fillies of two and three years and brood 

 mares, when considerable prize money is awarded. Maintenance 

 bounties may also be awarded owners of the best mares in order 

 to retain them in Belgium. 



M. Andre Duchateau, a noted breeder of Belgium, gives an 

 interesting account of the official supervision of breeding stock.^ 



In every province of Belgium at this period (November and December) 

 there is an expert committee sent to all the farms for the purpose of examining 

 the colts destined for public stallion service and also to inspect the older stal- 

 lions, as the certificate for service must be renewed each year. This is obliga- 

 tory in Belgium, even for stallions not kept at public stud, if the animals belong 

 to two or more persons collectively. Stallion service books are delivered to all 

 proprietors of approved sires, and each time a mare is served the groom must 

 enter in this book the description of the mare, date of service and the name 

 and address of the mare owner. A duplicate stating these facts is given to the 

 latter at the same time. Subsequent services to the same mare are entered on 

 the same sheet. These stallion books must be forwarded to the provincial 

 commissions of agriculture each year before the first of September. Anyone 

 winning prizes with a stallion at a show is obliged to stand him at public 

 service. A stallion groom is forbidden to allow his horse to serve any mare 

 with congenital deformities, or one suffering from a contagious disease. Neither 

 must the stallion be allowed to serve fillies less than three years old. 



Stud fees in Belgium vary from ^5 to ^100, according to the 

 origin and quality of the sire. Just prior to the World War high- 

 ■ priced sires were in great demand. The very noted horse Indigene 

 du Fosteau, even at eleven years of age, says M. Duchateau, was 

 in use the entire season for the maximum fee of ^100. Two of 

 his sons, Moustic de Grandglise and Brabangonne, were given all 

 the mares they could cover at $60. The older and better-known 

 sires naturally command higher figures than the younger and less 

 tried ones. The stud season lasts from January to July. 



The introduction of Belgian horses to America first occurred in 

 1866, when Dr. A. G. van Hoorebeke of Monmouth, • Illinois, 



1 How the Belgian Drafters have been Bred, Breeders' Gazette, December 18, 1912. 

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