268 BREEDING 



this kind transpires, as no one can foretell whether it may not be the 

 starting-point for others. 



If it could be arranged for every mare advanced in pregnancy to be 

 kept by herself in a loose-box and paddock, it is very probable that this 

 serious risk might be obviated; at any rate, isolation and other measures 

 could be more readily and effectually applied. 



As a preventive of this form of abortion, the surroundings of the preg- 

 nant mare should be as clean as possible, antl all decaying or putrid animal 

 or vegetable matter ought to be kept away from her. Cleanliness, good 

 food, and pure air and water are the only efficient protectives that can be 

 recommended against abortion, beyond those already mentioned. 



When a mare shows signs of impending abortion, if she is not already 

 hou.sed and by herself, the first thing to be done is to remove her to a 

 spacious loose-box, which ought to be kept rather dark, and free from noise. 

 These signs, however, are not very obvious in all cases. Sometimes it 

 happens that the mare appears to be as lively and well as usual up to the 

 moment when the foetus is expelled, while the expulsive act itself is so 

 sudden and quick, and accomplished with so little visible effort or disturb- 

 ance, that the accident excites very little if any notice. It frequently happens 

 during the night, and surprise is expressed at finding in the morning the 

 aborted foetus, usuallj' contained in its intact envelopes, lying behind an 

 animal which on the previous evening looked perfectly well, and even now 

 is so cheerful and unaltered, and its functions so little impaired, that it 

 can scarcely be believed she has been the subject of such a grave mishap. 

 Even the sentiment of maternity, which is so strongly developed in 

 animals after carrying the young full time, is not awakened in her, and 

 she shows the utmost indifference to the fcetus, even treading upon it. 



When abortion takes place during the day, the flanks have been 

 observed to fall in a little, the abdomen descends, the vulva and vagina 

 slightly dilate, and there escapes from them a glutinous, reddish -tinged 

 fluid, followed by the fcetus. If abortion occurs at an early period in preg- 

 nancy, the membranes in which the young creature is enclosed are not 

 ruptured; but when the period is more advanced — it may be towards the 

 seventh or eighth month — these envelopes rupture before expulsion of the 

 foetus, and may be retained in the uterus or ejected soon afterwards. 



In other instances, however, especially when pregnancy is well advanced, 

 and particularly if the mare has sustained external injury, there are precur- 

 sory signs of abortion which the attentive observer may note, but which 

 vary to some extent, according as the foetus is dead or alive. The mare 

 suddenly appears dull and dejected, or is restless, uneasy, and con.stantly 

 moving about. If the foetus is alive and strong its movements are — by 



