218 NOTES ON FIELDS AND CATTLE. 



turition in the case of cow, sheep, pig, I have spoken 

 elsewhere. "With regard to the mare there are 

 strange peculiarities, but much is stated also that is 

 mythical. She is said to foal standing. I have seen 

 many mares foal, but never one so; still I do not 

 deny that mine are exceptional cases. None can see 

 her foal, it is also stated. Again a myth. Without 

 doubt it is a rapid, almost instantaneous event, which 

 you must be wide awake to witness, and she is cer- 

 tainly shy of notice. Racing mares are often watched 

 by a man above out of sight so as not to disturb them. 

 If she be more than ten minutes after the pains seize 

 her before the foal appears, she will require aid. Her 

 time is so " unmerciful," as an old breeder on the 

 hills once remarked to me, that she requires help at 

 once, or you may lose both mare and foal — certainly 

 the last. Having lost one magnificent prize mare 

 under the sad circumstances of false presentation, 

 and having had another saved this year through the 

 experience so sadly gained, I can speak from personal 

 knowledge upon the subject. The mare often rolls a 

 good deal before the delivery commences. Hence, 

 there is much risk when she is confined in a box. 

 I am confident that I have lost several foals from the 

 mother not having had the fair chance of an open 

 field. The birth of an Arab foal is attested with 

 great formality, in the presence of witnesses, and 

 before the secretary of the Emir. When the foal is 

 dropped, let the mare have a bucket of gruel at once. 

 It is advisable to administer a light dose of castor-oil 

 to the young one. I have known more than one 

 saved by the precaution, and as many lost owing to 



