656 Reading-Gjukse for P\\rme^s. 



Not all foals, however, are so fortunate. Occasionally one loses its 

 life through want of attention at the time of birth. Occasionally they 

 are troubled with digestive disorders that must be attended to and 

 remedied at once before they prove fatal to the infant foal. Again, they 

 are sometimes troubled with that infectious navel disease which may 

 be due to unsanitary conditions at the time of foaling. 



It sometimes happens that the new-bom foal cannot breathe — does 

 not establish the function of respiration. With such, steps must be 

 taken quickly to establish respiration by blowing violently up the 

 muzzle and into the mouth, and by briskly rubbing the body. If breath- 

 ing is slow, a few tablespoonfuls of brandy and water, given after the first 

 few respirations, will be of material service in invigorating the low vital 

 processes. 



As soon as the mare has recovered from the shock of giving birth, she 

 should be allowed to tend the foal, for it will be physically benefited 

 thereby. If she refuses to dry and caress her foal, a little flour sprinkled 

 over the back of the latter will often attract her to it. Should she sfill 

 refuse, the foal must be dried with a soft flannel, aided to find the teat, 

 and assisted to obtain its first meal. 



It is essential that the new-bom foal get the first milk from the dam. 

 This fore-milk, often called colostrum, looks thick and yellow and differs 

 materially in composition from the subsequent milk. It is a natural 

 purgative, or contains principles adapted for the removal of the material, 

 often called mecomium, which has accumulated in the digestive tract 

 of the foal during the last few days of its development. The prompt 

 removal of this material is essential to the life of the foal and for this 

 reason it is highly necessary that the infant foal should be supplied 

 with the first milk from its own dam, at least until this material has been 

 expelled and the bowels have assumed their natural function. 



Ills of the young foal 



Constipation. Notwithstanding the purgative effects of the colostrum 

 or first milk, the young foal frequently suffers from constipation of the 

 bowels, especially if the mare has not been in good health during the 

 latter periods of pregnancy. Then again, the dam may have something 

 ■wTong with her first milk, or the young foal through weakness may not 

 get a good draft. Whatever the cause, if the digestive tract has not been 

 cleaned of its contents within twenty-four hours and the foal presents 

 a droopy, listless appearance, eyes not bright, ears lopped over, some- 

 thing must be done to stimulate the action of the bowels. The 



