HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



Moreover, it is a good plan for a mare to become accus- 

 tomed to her surroundings before labour commences. To allow 

 a mare to foal in the open air is not a commendable procedure 

 — in fact, one deserving of condemnation, certainly not indi- 

 cati\'e of the conduct of one having the welfare of his stock at 

 heart. 



The " premature " delivery of a foal is another matter 

 altogether, accidents of this nature being, as a rule, unforeseen. 



If the mare does not foal in the day time, it is a wise plan 

 to sit up with her for a few nights before full time is up, more 

 especially if the teats have " waxed," and there are signs of 

 milk in her udder, although the latter is not positive evidence 

 that foaling is at hand (though usually so), because milk 

 sometimes appears several months before, and yet the mare go 

 full time. There may be twins — one dead, and one living. 



Dropping of the quarters, i.e., relaxation of the pelvic 

 ligaments and milk in the udder are certainly indicative of 

 approaching labour. 



A good deep bed of clean straw having been provided, 

 it is only necessary to keep a watchful eye on the mare at 

 intervals throughout the silent hours. Some mares lie down, 

 others stand up during the act of foaling. 



The standing attitude facilitates delivery of the foal — ■ 

 living or dead. The labour pains are at first slight, gradually 

 become longer, stronger and more frequent. Simultaneously 

 with this physiological process, the generative passage is widen- 

 ing out in order to allow the fcetus to pass readilv along. 

 Expulsion of the " water bag " and its ru{)ture is, under 



244 



