MARE—is the well-known feminine of the HORSE, but not held of equal value with the masculine in respect to the gender, which is not only troublesome, but found to be productive of temporary debility at certain seasons of the year. Mares are evidently weaker, and less adequate to severe work, during the time they give proof of a desire to copulate, than at any other; which, perhaps, is the principal reason why GELDINGS are so generally preferred, as far as they can be obtained. Notwithstanding this partiality, MARES are not without their advocates, and have their conveniencies: in cases of LAMENESS, or other occurrences in the long list of _casual ills_, they, of course, become appropriate to the purpose of PROPAGATION, without much loss being sustained. Those, however, who expect to derive either pleasure, emolument, or a gratification of ambition, from BREEDING, must be a little prudent and circumspect in the shape, make, distinct points, and general symmetry, of the MARE, before they too hastily embark in so critical, and so truly expensive, an undertaking. Although it is a maxim universally admitted, that an equal degree of precaution should be used in respect to the HORSE, it is doubly and trebly necessary with the mare; because strict observation has demonstrated, that nearly, or full _two_ out of every _three_ FOALS, display, in their appearance, more of the DAM than the SIRE: and that there are more FILLIES than COLTS fallen every year, will not admit of a doubt. A variety of opinions are held, and occasionally propagated, upon the best and most proper age for putting a mare to horse: that a FILLY covered in her third year, will produce a fine healthy foal in her _fourth_, is sufficiently known; and that BROOD MARES bring forth excellent stock from their _twentieth_ to their _twenty-fifth_ year, is equally true; but if the two extremes are avoided (when it can be conveniently done so) the produce may most likely come some few shades nearer perfection. In the _first_ instance it is fair to infer, that the component parts may not have reached the extreme points of STRENGTH and MATURITY; and that in the _latter_, from the natural effect of AGE, the frame is verging upon _decay_; and that the LACTEALS from whence the NUTRIMENT for the FOAL is to be obtained, must be _contracted_ in proportion.