. The American farmer's horse book;. Horses. BREEDING, STOCK-RAISING, ETC. 447 Another consideration of importance is' the amount of labor the mare may perform. It is better for lier to do light work, at least up to within seven or eight weeks of foaling, at which time she should be relieved of all service, unless it be some occasional mild exercise. She should, also, about this time, be removed from other animals, that she may not be injured by them. At no period should she be assigned any very hard labor, or be subjected to severe strains. As she nears the time of foaling, she should be kept
. The American farmer's horse book;. Horses. BREEDING, STOCK-RAISING, ETC. 447 Another consideration of importance is' the amount of labor the mare may perform. It is better for lier to do light work, at least up to within seven or eight weeks of foaling, at which time she should be relieved of all service, unless it be some occasional mild exercise. She should, also, about this time, be removed from other animals, that she may not be injured by them. At no period should she be assigned any very hard labor, or be subjected to severe strains. As she nears the time of foaling, she should be kept where she can be easily watched, so that if any difficulty arises during parturition assistance may be rendered promptly. During the time of suckling, the mare should receive the best of attention. Her food should be generous, wholesome, and abundant. It should never escape the mind of her keeper that she now has two lives to support, and the tax upon her which the colt's necessities occasion is very great. Occasionally, a bran-mash may be given—rye-bran, if it can be obtained; and at all times plenty of chopped feed, good sweet hay, and oats will be just the diet for her. But abstain from feeding her any corn. If pasture can be procured, she will do better on this than upon any thing else. As feeding the mare is feeding the colt also, nothing should be allowed her that can injure the latter, as some articles of food or medicine may do without seriously affecting the stronger organism of the mother. After thirty days, if she is again in season, the mare may once more be put to the horse, if the owner is determined to have her bring a colt every year. But to this there is a grave objection. In all of the animal creation, a state of pregnancy injuriously affects the character of the milk afforded the suckling offspring. Better colts can be raised by breeding the mare only every second 3'ear. The labor of the mother should be quite light, beginning not before a month or six wee
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjecthorses, bookyear1867
