42 
PURE BRED DRAFT HORSES 
refuse to work, squeals and kicks when approached, elevates and pro¬ 
trudes the clitoris, and micturates frequently, the material being very 
mucoid.” 
Mumford 79 characterizes oestrum by “great restlessness, constant move¬ 
ment and often great mental excitement . . . The genital organs be¬ 
come congested. The mammary glands in animals not suckling young in¬ 
creases in size. The external genitals, particularly the vulva, become 
swollen and red, and mucous and bloody excretions flow from the gen¬ 
erative organs. In many animals, there are frequent attempts at urina¬ 
tion.” 
4. Spring Foaling 
Gay 4 states that spring is the natural time for foaling and is the 
customary period, especially in breeding studs. Such benefits as are 
derived by the open-air surrounding and new grass are ascribed to the 
desirability of spring foaling. And too, breeders of show horses who are 
after the age limit prefer spring foaling. 
With regard to spring foaling, Harper 78 writes: “Mares breed naturally 
in early spring. At this season their breeding condition is more readily 
observed and they conceive more frequently than at any other time 
during the year. [These have just been referred to above.] 
“Thus, when convenient, the spring is the proper time to breed the 
mare, being attended by many advantages. The foal comes at a time when 
it is much more easily managed, the housing is simplified, since, if the 
weather is warm, the mare and foal may be turned into a small paddock 
or pasture. The grass the mare gets will serve to keep her in good 
physical condition and will stimulate the milk flow. This also gives the 
foal the range of the field and the much-needed exercise, without which 
no foal can develop endurance. Soon the foal will learn to nibble the 
grass, which will prove beneficial, since grass is a very good supplement 
for milk for a nursing foal. If the foal is given a little grain at the same 
time the dam receives her ration, he will thrive and develop in a manner 
difficult to equal with a fall colt.” 
Van Alstyne 81 asserts that mares breed with difficulty at other seasons 
than spring. According to him, the desirability of March foals is to be 
accounted to the fact that “After the birth of the colt the mare has time 
to recuperate before her services are needed. A little later she can take 
her share of light work, and by the time the heavier work of the later 
spring comes on, she can take her share. The colt will then be eating 
solid food and it is important if the mare’s milk supply is not abundant. 
“The colt is large enough by midsummer that the flies do not affect it 
as they do a younger foal. It can be weaned in late July or August while 
pasture is yet good, and the mare will have time to gain flesh before 
winter.” 
5. Fall Foaling 
According to Gay , 4 fall foaling should be a feasible system provided 
good stables, feed and help are made available. It is especially desirable 
where mares are being used for farm work besides for the production of 
colts. It is pointed out that fall foaling enables the colts to acquire good 
start so as to minimize the effects of adverse conditions of short pastures 
and attacks of flies during midsummer. Gay says: “In fact, if one is 
forced to choose between a spring foal, with no chance to properly favoi 
the mare, and a fall colt which arrives and is suckled while the mare 
is laid by, the latter would be more desirable.” 
Harper 78 has the following to say on fall foaling: “When the fall foals 
are to be raised the mare should be bred so as to foal as soon as con¬ 
venient after the season’s work is done, providing the foal does not 
