The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-03-17
Tn, Breeding of Horses


The Breeding of Horses
In writing on this subject we do not
wish to be misunderstood. We Will
therefore state that we write from the
stand point of farmer, and not as
breeder of fancy horses. 1t may be well
for men who have large capital TO give
their attention and devote their means
to rearing fast or thoroughbred stock,
Int the best and most profitable animal
for the farmer to raise is the .;arm-hOrSe.
But difficulty meets rs here, for sue
cessful and intelligent farmers differ
widely in their opinions as to what con-
stitutes 4 GOOD farmhouse. Some advO-
cate the claims of the heavy class, while
others contend that the small horse Is
tLr most desirable. We do not propose
to debate this question, as space tnrDlds
Il Like all others we have prefer
ence, however, for which we VIII give
our reasons, admitting that locality,
soil. and access to market exert con-
trolling influence in the matter OF choice
with most persons.
Fxperience and observation lead us
10 favor large horses. First, because
il costs very little ifany more to raise
them. Second, with them we can pillow
deep in any soil in dry or unfavorable
seasons, and haul good. loads over bad
roads. Third, they are the most sale,
able, bringing from fifty to one hundred
DER cent. more than small horses.
The first and most important step to-
wards successful breeding is, the secure
mept of good mare. Many a good
stallion has been condemned by farmers
for petting poer stock, when the fault
asto be found in their own miserable,
misformed, unsOund mares. Indeed, III
is too common for men to think, that
LET the mare be what che may, she ought
to bring good colt by good horse,
and when disappointed in this, to cry
down the stallion. This is not only IN.
inst, but foolish and absurd.
The noints we look for in good
breeding mare for the farm, are as fol-
lows: She should be large, with short
head. broad between the eyes, and
straight face: eyes large and clear; neck
long. throat-latch small, chest broad
and deep. This formation insures good
wind and bottom. The shoulders should
he thick through at the base, and high
ND and sharp at the withers, indicating
freedom from stumbling and COED ac-
tion: the back short, with broad hips;
loins strong and full; abdomen broad
and roomy; buttocks broad and run
ming well down on the quarters; hind
leps broad, flat and sinewy, and free
from meaty matter; fore legs short and
bony with heavy arm; feet large, round,
hard and we'll set, with toes pointing
directly forward: length from the point
of the stife to the attachment OF the
fore-leg is especially desirable. A heavy,
well-carried tail, is not to be overlooked.
She should be good walker and OF pa
tient disposition.
Having chosen a suitable mare, care
should be taken in the selection OF a,
proper horse. One near her own size is
best. AS to blood. we prefer horse
about one-fourth English race and three
fourths heavy draft, such as are found
in many of the valleys of New York
and Pennsylvania. But the Diligence
or Norman horse is perhaps equally as
good for most purposes. If 1T can be
accomplished, the mare should be man
aged so as drop the foal about the hrst
of May.
The management of mare in foal
must vary in different climates, and
will also be necessarily affected by the
circumstances of the owner. 1t would
require too much time and space to 60
into details, we will therefore offer a
few hiHts of general application.
During CESSATION the mare should
never be worked very hard, or driven
so as to distress her. Care shonld be
taken to keep her blood in a healthy
condition. To'this end she should have
plenty of exercise, and enough ofwhole.
some food to keep her in tolerably good
flesh, feeding occasionally with bran to
keep the bowels regular. After the
eighth month heavy hauling should be
avoided, but light work to within ten
days or two weeks Of her full time is
preferable to standing idle, During
the winter months, when most farmers
horses have comparatively little TO do,
the breeding mares should be turned
out at least half the day, if the wealth
or will permit. If crooked, unsightly
colt is desired, let the mare be fed strong
and stand in the stable from week to
week.
A mare is safer in foaling if she is q
little thin, without being so reduced as
10 weaken her. Grain should be fed
BDarlDHly IUt IdSb lnOutu' II ouo Sau
have O chance to pick the early grass
for a week or so before foaling, it is of
great benefit in regulating the system.
IF stabbed at night she should have a
large roomy stall or entire stable to
run loose, where there is no danger of
either her or the foal getting fast under
stalls or stable-doOrs.
We think it pays to watch the mare
at night, especially if she goes over her
time, or is pregnant for the first time.
Some good horsemen have a man to
sleep i'm the barn near the mare, while
others content themselves with visiting
her once or twice during the night. By
neglecting this precaution fine mares
are often lost, and the owner laments
Too late his own carelessness or love of
ease. During labor nssure should be al
lowed time to "work her perfect work."
without officious assistance, unless it be
evident that something is wrong, :,
After the foal is dropped, oats ana
I:.,to Tho hest feed for the |