TREATMENT AFTER FOALING. . 16) 
bred animals, however, do very well till about Christmas ; after which, 
hay and corn, with a few carrots, should be liberally given them, still 
allowing them to pick up what grass they can find in their paddocks. 
Excessive fat is a state of disease, and interferes with the due nutrition of 
the fetus, while it is very dangerous at foaling-time, when it not only 
interferes with the process, but also tends to produce fever. Supposing 
the mare to be at work, she should have some kind of green food—lucerne 
being the best, and vetches, perhaps, the worst for the purpose, the latter 
being too heating, especially to the organs contained within the pelvis. 
Any of the grasses or clovers answer well; and, after they are done, 
earrots form an excellent swccedanewm, given sliced in a bran mash every 
night. By adopting these articles of food, the mare is kept free from 
inflammation, and yet the foal is well nourished, which are the two essen- 
tial points to be considered. 
EXCITEMENT OF EVERY KIND is a fertile source of “slipping” the foal ; 
and everything which is at all likely to have that effect should be carefully 
avoided. The smell of blood is said to have a very prejudicial influence 
in this way; and there is no doubt that one mare miscarrying will in 
some mode affect others in proximity to her. Possibly the same cause may 
act on all; but it seems to be generally concluded that the act is really 
contagious, either from what is called sympathy, or in some other as 
inexplicable way. If a mare has ‘‘slipped” a foal in a previous preg- 
nancy, double care should be taken, as she will be far more likely to do so 
again than another which has hitherto escaped the accident. It occurs 
most frequently about the fourth or fifth month, therefore extra care 
should be taken at that time. The suspected individual should be kept 
quiet by herself; but it is better to allow her the run of a small retired 
paddock, than to confine her to her hovel, where, for want of exercise, she 
will become restless and anxious. Purging physic should not be given, 
unless it is absolutely necessary; and if the bowels are so confined as 
to require some stimulus of this kind, and bran mashes and other changes 
in the food fail to produce any effect, choice should be made of the mildest 
aperient which is likely to answer the purpose. With regard to the 
management of the mare in parturition, I shall leave its consideration to 
my colleague, who will, doubtless, be of the same opinion as myself, that, 
if assistance is demanded, it is safer to have recourse at once to a properly 
educated veterinary surgeon. Stud grooms who have had much expe- 
rience will sometimes be able to aid Nature with advantage ; but, in the 
long run, they will probably do more harm than good, if they attempt any 
serious interference. 
TREATMENT AFTER FOALING. 
IN A HEALTHY STATE, the mare very soon recovers the efforts which she 
has made in bringing forth the foal; and, in fine weather, she may be 
allowed to enter her paddock on the second day afterwards, which is 
generally soon enough to suit the strength of the foal, though occasionally 
the young animal is very active within six hours after it comes into the 
world. For a couple of months, or perhaps less in some cases, the mare 
and foal are better kept in a paddock by themselves ; but in a large stud 
this is difficult when the foals come very quickly; and then several mares 
of quiet temperament are put together, still keeping separate those which 
are shy or vicious. Until the mare can get plenty of grass, she should 
have carrots, bran mashes, and a feed or two of oats, which at first are 
M 
