278 



BREEDING 



Room having been thus provided, an attempt should now be made to 

 bring the hind -legs into position for delivery. For this purpose the 

 palm of the hand should be placed against the under side of the point of 

 the hock, and pressure made in a forward and slightly upward direction 

 upon tlie second thigh. If by a little manoeuvring a cord can be placed 

 round the bend of the hock, it should be done and handed to an assistant, 

 who will be able to render considerable help by pulling the limb backwards 

 when the right time comes. 



The operator should now grasp the shin-bone, and with such help as his 



Fig. 553. — Breech present.-ition, Leg.s extended beneath Abdomen 



assistant can give him, draw the leg towards the i^elvic inlet. As soon 

 as the pastern or the foot can be reached, the fetlock-joint should be forcibly 

 flexed and the leg lifted into the passage. Before this can be done it may 

 be necessary to pass a cord round the pastern and bring traction to bear 

 upon it, while the operator presses the point of the hock in an upward 

 and forward direction. After one limb has been adjusted the other must 

 be dealt with in the same manner. 



A still more troublesome and dangerous breech presentation is that 

 where the hind-legs, instead of being flexed as in the case referred to 

 above, are carried forward and downward towards the fore -limbs, and 

 the thigh bent upon the pelvis allows the croup and buttocks to be 

 presented (fig. 55.3). 



Unless this misplacement is promptly recognized and corrected, the 



