MENSTRUATION IN MARES. 
284 
Now, the simple fact is, that the mare knows more than her 
master in regard to her then condition, and she is trying to 
drive into his foolish noddle that, on such days, she should be 
left quiet, and be subject to no labour beyond the most gentle 
exercise. 
If the reason why this course should be pursued, in prefer¬ 
ence to the hard work and the whipping which your mare has 
had bestowed upon her at such times, is not now plain and 
satisfactory to you, most sapient reader, just inquire of any old 
matron within the circle of your acquaintance, and she will tell 
you that I am correct, but perhaps “ without a why or wherefore.” 
The reproductive organs, in all animals, are intimately con¬ 
nected with the nervous system, and, of course, exert a vast 
influence over not only the nerves, but also the entire body, 
mind, and disposition; and when those organs are deranged or 
diseased, the entire animal economy must suffer, and be ren¬ 
dered in a greater or less degree unfitted to perform its usual 
labours. In the female, these organs exercise a still more 
powerful influence upon the other parts of the system than in 
the male; and as they are liable to periodical derangements or 
excitements, it becomes obviously necessary to be strictly 
cautious not to tax the animal’s powers of endurance at those 
periods. 
Mares that have been ridden under the saddle, or driven in 
harness, during their periods of heat, and have performed no 
more than their usual amount of labour, are frequently discovered 
to be covered with perspiration across the loins, while all other 
parts of the surface are cool and dry; and the hostlers will say 
that they have been unable to rub these, spots dry, even after 
the lapse of many hours; and the next day the mare is ob¬ 
served to drag her hind legs after her, almost as though her 
back were broken. Indeed, her back is lame, weak, and painful. 
She urinates with difficulty, and there is evident inflammation 
of the kidneys, the ovaries, and the uterus. 
From slight injuries of this class mares will readily recover; 
but if they are of too frequent repetition, or the injury be of too 
grave a character, the chances are, that the animal will be 
unable ever after to perform well, and will soon become 
nervous, irritable, and weak, and will be passed from jockey to 
jockey until she dies—a martyr, not to her own “foolishness "—• 
for her waywardness at those times are wise admonitions to her 
master—but to the folly of those who will not learn to un¬ 
derstand nature, because “ thev know all about their horses,” 
and do not wish to be instructed by any book doctor. 
American Veterinary Journal, March 1852. 
