THE MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING STUBS OF DRAUGHT HORSES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1906, 21 August 1890, Page 8

THE MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING STUBS OF DRAUGHT HORSES.

(North British Agriculturist.) Mr Archibald Macaoilage, sneretary of the Clydosdalo Horso Society, Glapgow, contributes to the recent number of the Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Sootlaud a useful paper on the above subject, which breeders of horses will read with interest end advantage. Tho eacayiat hr-a obtained numerous pt&ctioal doUilq o£ uiftaa^nment from most of the notable bre3dera throughout Scotland, au'J from a few in various parts of England. Climate, rainfall, and loo^ity, it ib premisud, modify some of lhf>. methods of procedure alike aa to leading and management. In genial, fairly sheltered localities, mares kept exclusively for breeding are wintered in the open, suitable shedß or boxes bsing p.nnerally placed in the pftßtureß. To theae the mares have access at pleasure, but, like other horses and cattle aoouatomod to live out of doors,

excepting in the worst of weather, they rarely condescend to make use #of such shelter. In most cold, exposed situations, the mares during winter are turned into the field or paddock by day, but are housed at night. Sufficient exercise and mov ing about in the open air during the greater pait of the day is couduoive not only to general health, but seoures the sound growth and development of the feet ani the feathering which is bo essential to sucoaßS in the showy ard, All horsemen conour that breeding mares, although not kept fat, should be in good con dition, and those living in the fields in winter, besides grass, require a fair allowance of oate, averaging a bushel a week, as much oat Bfcraw or hay as they will cloar up, a few tootß, with an occasional mess of bran or boiled food. This boiled food appears to have unjustifiably frequent and favourable mention both by Mr Macneilage and his reporters as a regular portion of the diet. The healthy state of tho bowels, however, iB as effectually and more safely maintained by the use of mangels, swedes, or carrots, by damping the chaff, or occasionally [adding to it trencle and water or a handful of Epsojn BaltH. Mares, as well as other claßaes of horses, are prone to bolt boiled food without its being properly insalivated, with the result of its causing indigestion and colic— complaints to bo specially guarded against in pregnant mares. The great proportion of draught mares used for breeding purposes in this country are steadily worked throughout the winter and until within a few days of foaling, caro being taken to keep them out of the shafts of the cart. Mr Macneilage, in connection with this subject, pertinently observes "that mares in foal should be carefully worked in cart yolk a% all times, should not bo backed, and for two or three months before foaling should only bo wrought in plough, and more and moro leisurely and carefully as tho foaling time draws near. At the same time there is equally general agreement among't breeders that mares thus carefully bandied have usually the easiest foaling time, and the strongest, most thriving, and healthiest foals. All this is perfeotly intelligible and in accordance with Nature." In foal mares are usually Btabled and fed muoh in the same manner as the other horses of the farm, but some breeders, »s gestation advances, endeavour to provide the extra room and quiet which such mares Bhould, if possible, have by placing them in loose boxeß or yards provided with good Bhedß. Sufficient importance is not, we think, given to the necessity of attending to the state ot the maro's bowels, especially during the few days preceding foaling. The full allowance of oate should then be reduced, and bran, boiled barley, linseed, or mashes substituted; and such soft food Bhould be given repeatedly, although, for the reasons above detailed, only in small quantities at a time. A constipated or torpid state of the bowels seriously compli cates foaling ; parturient straining occasionally causes eversion of the overloaded bowels. One breeder informs ub that he ltst a useful mare in 1888 and another this Bpring, while several others for aome boure were in a critical condition from their having been mainly restricted for some days, before foaling, to dry food; and kept in the house without exercise. Mares got into high condition for showing, receiving insufficient exercise, or restricted to dry food previous to foaling, not only furnish the largest proportion of casualties at parturition, but are the most uncertain breeders, and are apt, moreover, if they, are successfully, Berved, to slip foal. ; " ' Several reporters senßibly advert to the malpractice of allowing mares to foal in the field. Any assistance which may be required can Beldom be effeotually rendered there ; the mare runß great risk of taking cdld, while the foal, unleßß in exceptionally fine weather, is also liable to suffer from cold or rheumatism. Even for 10 days after birth, great care is requisite in protecting both mare and foal from inclement weather. During the first fortnight they mußt not be turned out if the weather ib wet ; while, if cold and raw. they should at first be out only for an hour during the brightest portion of the day. Many a foal iB lost from being thpughtleealy run out for the first time in cold, stormy weather, or being allowed to remain out late in the evening or during the night. Early foals, although entailing extra attention alike for mare and foal and requiring band feeding alwayß thrive best, and are more forward, not only as foals, but aB yearlings and even aa two-year- oldß, Weaning should take place in from four to Biz monthß ; it should occur earlier if the mare is a poor nurse, or from any cause out of health j the thriving of the foal will not be materially interfered with if during the last month it is with the mother it learns to eat a few crushed oats, which may be advantageously given mixed with a little bruised linseed cake.