THE MARE AND FOAL 485 



cord as the mare rises prevents after-bleeding, but, when aid 

 is necessary it is usual to tie it in two places and sever it 

 with a knife between the knots rather than to attempt to 

 imitate nature by breaking it. (See p. 489). If the mare 

 be slow to lick the foal, it should be rubbed dry to prevent 

 it growing cold, and, if weak on its legs, it should be 

 supported and held in position to encourage it to suck as 

 soon as possible. If this is unsuccessful, half a teacupful 

 of milk should be drawn by the forefinger and thumb 

 from the mare's teats into a vessel, warmed, if convenient, 

 by dipping into hot water, and poured into the foal's mouth 

 with a table spoon, as a new-born foal cannot long survive 

 without food. If everything has gone well and the foal 

 is strong and warm and only awkward on its legs, some 

 breeders think it best to leave nature to its own course, and 

 the foal by instinct soon finds its way to the teats. Beyond 

 these precautions the mare rarely requires assistance. To see 

 that the anus of the foal is not by chance closed by an 

 adventitious skin or membrane which requires to be broken, 

 and to give the mother frequent small drinks of natural water 

 with a little oatmeal thrown into it, along with a suitable 

 amount of succulent digestible food, is all the further treatment 

 necessary under normal circumstances. A mare should " clean " 

 naturally within an hour or two after foaling, but if the after- 

 birth hangs for eight hours it should then be detached by 

 inserting a well-washed hand and arm, moistened by carbolic 

 oil or carbolic soap and water, and pulled away before it 

 begins to decompose. It differs from that of the cow (see 

 P- 335) m the form of attachment to the uterus, being 

 generally adherent to the internal surface of the womb. The 

 ailment known as " hanging cleansing " is often fatal if not 

 promptly attended to, and may be contagious. To get rid of 

 it, should it become established on a farm, disinfect the houses, 

 lime the pastures, and stop breeding for a time. Succulent 

 food, such as roots that are available at the season, or a 

 mixture of steamed barley, Indian corn, a few beans and 

 bran, given at a temperature not over 60, encourages the 

 flow of milk before grass comes ; and daily exercise and 

 fresh air, avoiding cold and draughts, are essential for the 

 healthy development of the young animal in all its stages. 

 Some breeders relieve the pressure of work on the attendants 



