A SUCCESSFUL BROOD MARE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13741, 24 May 1910, Page 5

A SUCCESSFUL BROOD MARE.

As one-half of the elements which form the embryo of tn**» foal come from the egg cell, it is evident that the success of every breeder of horse stock depends largely upon the kind of meres selected for brood purposes. This applies to breeders of all kinds of horse stock, whether bred for the track, road, family or farm use, or for heavy draft purposes, but more especially to thoso of track, road and carriage horses. An article written by A. E. Trowbridge, of tho University of Missouri, on this subject was.published in "Colman's Rural World." It is as follows: — ' Market quotations continually impress us with the fact that the "better grade of horses" and not tho "common lots" are in demand. Tho selling price for good horses of all grades is such as to allow a good margin of profit for tho producer. The particular emphasis iaid upon "better grades" of horses "and. the prices that tliey actually cormnand" is only another proof of wisdom in the selection and mating of mares and stallions of the better grade. A glance at the class of mares which aro sent to tho stallion in almost any community furnishes ample proof of this fact. Too many mares which have passed tho prime of life and which ere fit only ior partial service on the farm are bred with the expectation that their offspring will help to pay for their keep. Other cases are very numerous in which the female, expected to produce offspring which will ultimately result in profit to the owner, is unable to Ticrforni very ordinary labour because of some hereditary unsoundness which renders her physically unequal to the task. On the other hand, wo see many fine young mares being mated with the stallion or jack and. as would bo expected, the class of men who practise such systems of horse husbandry are tho men who realise both profit and pleasure from the business. The question often arises as to just what sort of horses or mules it is best for the farmer to. produce, and what sort of mares should be used to produce this or , that given type of horse or mule. This is a question which each man must settle in accordance with his environment. In settling this question he must realise fully that the market shows preference for "certain classes of horses. In the State of Missouri we have a variety of types in our horses. This presents a problem in horse breeding which if properly managed will maintain our State in the foremost rank as a producer of. high class horses and mules,

but if improperly managed will lead to disastrous results.

We have marcs carrying a preponderance- of American trotting horse blood, some of them conforming to the racehorse and many of which fill the qualifications of the American carriage horse. We have many mares of saddle horse, Morgan and thoroughbred lineage. Through some sections of tho State is found a class of native mares which show the results of the" draught sires, and in almost every section we have mares of somewhat mixed breeding, which are known by a Variety of names on the market. The _ood marcs of any of these classes may at present be utilised in the production of horses and mules, but as" soon as the poorer ones of all classes have been discarded our capacity for horse and mule production wilj be on a higher level. Thoso men who contemplate breeding mares should consider the following qualifications, keeping in mind the old truth that "like produces like." The earliest age at which mares should first produce foals is a question, but it is certain that to yield tho greatest orofit on the ordinary farm they should bo bred as early as their development will warrant, which will vary usually from two to five years of age. Once started, these marcs should be kept breeding regularly. Young mules and young geldings can be made to perform that particular farm work which would endanger tho welfare of a maro in foal. Brood mares should bo worked steadily, thereby obtaining sufficient exercise, an all-important factor in the production of healthy foals. It is too often the case that mares are not bred until they are too old for work. By starting early, the length of their period of -usefulness as brood mares is increased, and some argue that they increase their ability to produce regularly. .

Size is a powerful factor in the determination of the values of horse flesh in our present markets. Past experience, however, has proven that the inaro of good size for the breed, with style and action, has been the most successful as a producer. It is not the ungainly, overgrown maro that produces the most serviceable horses, neither is it tho dwarfed, anaemic specimen that perpetuates the good characteristics of-her kind. Increase in size is one of the greatest needs ol our lighter class of mares. This size can be secured only by tho most careful scrutiny id" animals mated. In obtaining this qualification great caro should I'o excrcis?d that quality be not sacrificed. It is the mare of medium refinement, to,the point of decreasing si„e, and constitutional vigour that aro essential considerations in sclcctiug brood mares.

In breeding mares having an hereditary unsDuntiness, we are inviting disaster, for tho law that like produces like holds good in the majority of cases. Blemishes, tho results of accidents, are rot transmitted to the offspring. Wo should always be certain, however, that the*blemishes are the result of accident, otherwise mares thus affected should bo discarded as brood mares. There are cortain essentials of conformation for all classes of horses and mules, whether for saddle, for harness, or for hard labour. A head of sufficient . width and features plainly outlined aro-evidence of intelligence and good disposition. A neck of good length showing a clean-cut windpipe with a. clean throat-lath points toward good wind.

Sloping shoulders and sloping pasterns, assochtjd with straight, wellsot, strongly muscled legs and dense, tough feet are extremely essential to longevity or hard service. The back should be comparatively straight stroll.:, short, closely coupled, well muscled and support a deep chest of medium width, good desp ribs and flank. The rump should carry width to tho tail, which should set fairly high. Tho hind legs of the horse should be set well under the body. Strong hocks well-set and sloping pasterns are of great value. True, level action with good stylo is css3ntial in all good horses. Close observation will call our attention to tho fact that our best brood mares 'prJSsessi real-feminine, character,' which gives them power to reproduce Consequently, ' along with the characteristics :of, type, age,'size, quality, constitution,, soundness, action and conformation we" find-: our greatest brood mares aro those possessed'of that latent and unexplainablo quality of real feminine character and adaptability to motherhood. *."..■