548 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



can have plenty of shade and good, pure water. In the fall and winter 

 (here in the corn belt), she should have access to the stalk fields also, 

 when the weather permits; but when the stormy and severe cold weather 

 sets in she should be provided with good, roomy sheds or a box stall that 

 is well bedded. When out in the field she should not be compelled to run 

 with older horses or geldings that are apt to fight her, causing her to 

 jump and many times slip, thus endangering the life of her unborn foal. 



The brood mare should at all times carry a reasonable amount of flesh; 

 an abnormal amount is an objection. Though many mares in this condi- 

 tion seem to do well, it is not generally deemed the best. When in this 

 condition many times the foals are ill shaped, or under size; many times 

 very 'crooked, and often weak in the joints and unable to rise to their feet 

 unaided. 



As the time for the new foal arrives she should be guarded and 

 watched with care, as it is a critical time, both for her and her foal. It 

 should be seen to that she has plenty of exercise, and by all means she 

 should be out on bright sunshiny days. If they are not given this atten- 

 tion the draft mares, m.ore especially, are likely to get what is known as 

 "colt stiffs," or as she nears the time of the birth of her foal, large 

 dropsical swellings will appear on the floor of the abdomen. These are 

 caused by an interference with the circulation on account of the weight of 

 the fetus on the large blood vessels. In such cases all rich grain or milk 

 producing feed should be withheld until all these conditions have disap- 

 peared, either before or after foaling. 



After foaling, if a heavy milker, she should be allowed to spend a part 

 of several days in a dry lot; should be fed good hay and not be allowed too 

 rich pasture, as it may cause trouble with the colt, which may be unable 

 to take all the milk. In case she is a scanty milker she should be given 

 a reasonable amount of milk-producing grains, in addition to having 

 access to pasture. 



At the time of foaling an attendant should always be present for the 

 portection of both the mare and the colt. If she does not foal in a short 

 time proper assistance should be had at once, for the lack of this at the 

 proper moment may mean the loss of one and perhaps both animals. The 

 colt born and breathing well, the attendant should next direct his atten- 

 tion to the navel cord. Afer it has stopped pulsating he should have a 

 string, which has been dipped in a good disinfectant solution, ready to tie 

 around the cord about three inches from the body. This done the cord 

 may be severed two inches below the string, after which the whole region 

 of the navel should be disinfected. This should be done several times a 

 day until the navel is well healed. Especially is this necessary if the colt 

 is about the stables, as it has a greater chance to become infected by 

 coming in contact with filth than if out in the pastures. Tannic acid and 

 sulpher, mixed in equal parts, is a good disinfectant with which the navel 

 may be frequently dusted. 



After the colt has sucked and is a few hours old it should be noticed 

 whether its bowels have moved, and if so, to such an extent that they are 



