MANAGEMENT OF THE MAKE 
161 
run of large pastures and not be confined to paddocks. A fair number of 
mares can be allowed to run together, but I regard it desirable not to have 
more than eight in one pasture.” 
Singmaster’s recommendations in the selection of brood mares follow: 
“Select the type of mare that suits you best We prefer the rather lengthy 
mare of good reaching neck, with a sweet feminine head, a good pair of 
shoulders, a deep body, closely ribbed to the point of the hip, a gently slop¬ 
ing hip, and flat-boned legs with springy pastern joints At the throat- 
latch she should be much lighter and cleaner than the male The prominent 
eye and the medium-sized hoof, dark colored and sloping, but not steep, 
should be sought. Get your mares of similar conformation, so that, when 
mated with a stallion of opposite good points, they will produce foals of 
distinctive conformation or type that will build your reputation as a stu¬ 
dious breeder of all that is best in Percherons. Color in the mare is not so 
essential as in the male. The mare should weigh from 1,750 to 1,900 pounds, 
and be a square walker, with no wobbly joints. Percherons are of good 
disposition, and it stands us in hand to have it so remain, but it requires 
care in mating and care in handling the colt.” 
According to Dunham, “Brood mares should be selected with due refer¬ 
ence to size and soundness. They should be of feminine type and of the 
largest size to be found, short in the back, but long below, and of good sub¬ 
stance. Lightness of bone is apt to reappear in the colts.” 
First of all, Corsa emphasizes soundness in the mare to be included in 
the breeding herd, because, as he says, “Although the available stallion 
may be a breeder and an impressive sire, sound and of correct pattern and 
sufficient size, we cannot expect him to overcome a material unsoundness 
in the mare.” Corsa goes on to say: “The size of a brood mare is also of 
importance. We would not expect to raise real drafters from 1,400-pound 
mares; the offspring at maturity are seldom more than chunks. On the 
other hand, there is quite a temptation to use, and a very general demand 
for, the one-ton mare. There are many such mares that are quick in their 
movements and handy at work on the farm; they make good mothers and 
regular breeders. They are the exception, however, among those of their 
size. In general, I believe the experience of breeders of purebred livestock 
will bear out the statement that the excessively large females are seldom 
the best breeders. 
“A mare weighing from 1,700 to 1,800 pounds in ordinarily good condi¬ 
tion is the draft mare that may be expected to give a good account of her¬ 
self both at work and in the stud. Get size in the effspring through the se¬ 
lection of the sire and through the kind, quality and quantity of feed given 
the colts. Fortunately, it is among those under excessive weights that we 
find the greater number of mares of acceptable brood type—sweetly femi¬ 
nine sorts which usually have necks long enough so that one may put his 
arm around and love them. 
“Avoid flat, shelly feet, straight pasterns, crooked hind legs, excessively 
sloping rumps, low backs and straight shoulders, both in the mares and 
in the stallion to which they are bred. The size of the bones may well be 
considered, though too much stress frequently has been placed upon mare 
size. It is the quality, however, which counts. We want a clean, flat, hard, 
flinty bone, and enough of it to hold up the mare and carry her on any 
work she may be called upon to do. It is desirable, also, that the front 
legs should not cut under too much just below and back of the knee. 
“Having found a mare that is sound and acceptable in size, type and 
conformation, let us hope and pray that she has snap and courage to carry 
on the work that comes with the heat of the day and to pass them on as 
an heritage to her offspring. Such a mare not only moves more gaily, but is 
likely to move more correctly than the dull-headed, wabbly legged mare.” 
