The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-12-09
From the American Farmer.
On Breeding.
BY DIR. DADD, VETERINARY SUR

BYDR. DADD, VETERINARY SURGEON.
The choice of sire and dam is point
of the utmost importance in view OF
successful and profitable breeding, as
the offspring will be found, in almost
every instance, to inherit the qualities
of its parents; popularity of form and
constitution are inherent, and descend
from one generation to another. Hence
the necessary attention to those matters
which breeders are too apt to overlook.
Nor is it sufficient that one of the par
ents be of fine form, &C., and the other
faulty, for the perfection of the sire may
be lost through the deficiencies of the
mare, and rice rersd.
In the selection of stallion, many
things should be observed. There should
exist general uniformity and compact
ness in every part. The height should
depend on the occupation which the off
spring is destined to fill. The legs
should be particularly examined, and
disease ought not pervade any part Of
the system. Fat, heavy horses, with
white legs, and crane, unseemly heads,
should always be avoided. Horses
should be free from specks on the eyes
and partial, or total, blindness. Temper
is an essential point, for vice is some
times hereditary. Stations whose sex
ual organs are called too often into
requisition are apt to beget weak off
spring.
As regards the mare, it is we'll known
that she contributes much towards the
integrity of the offspring; hence it is es-
,a1 hot ah ha IN f,n 3
her natural health and strength. 1t 10
a great error to suppose that q mare
which has once been good, and capable
of great eKertion, should, when old, and
no longer able to work, produce off
spring equally efficient as when in her
prime; ir such case the foal will be
likely to inherit some of the weakness
incidental to an impaired constitution.
Mares should never be put to stall
lion until they have obtained maturity,
which occurs about the fifth year. am
aware that mares are bred from at q
more Juvenile age than this, but the
practice is Objectionable, for pregnancy
and parturition tend to stunt her growth.
The period of pregnancy is eleven
months; after the sixth month great
care and gentleness is requisite; mod
crate exercise is essential, for hard work
or feats of speed are apt to cause abor-
ton.
Some writers recommend that the
mare be put to the stallion early after
foaling; this is improper, for the simple
reason that the mare has to furnish the
elements of nutrition for both the foal
and fetus in utero, and also for the pre-
servatiOn of the integrity Of her own
system; which herculean feat must
overwork her digestive organs.
Disproportionate populations are al
so bad, as q large horse and small mare;
the size of the horse should be attained
and improved gradually, and this is evil
IDENTIFY better way than that of at
tempting sudden increase in size.
When the period for foaling draws
nigh, the mare should be separated
from other horses; after foaling, turn
her into pasture, if the season permits,
or let her have the run of barn yard.
At the age of six months the foal may
be weaned. Should it die, humanity
seems TO suggest that the mother have
few weeks rest, so as to recover. from
the effects of parturition.