MANAGEMENT OF BROOD MARES 



normal conditions, soon followed by the appearance of the 

 foal. It must be borne in mind that it is the rule for a mare at 

 her first foaling to have a little more trouble over the act than 

 one that has had several foals. Many mares that are wide 

 in the croup experience very little difficulty in labour 

 under normal circumstances. 



In every instance the author strongly advises that none 

 but a qualified veterinary surgeon be allow^ed to interfere in 

 the event of the labour being unduly prolonged, although it is 

 a very general custom for amateurs just to " give the mare 

 a little assistance." This is dangerous. 



Times without number the writer has been called to mares 

 in labour, after all amateurish efforts have proved abortive, 

 so far as delivery of the foal has been concerned. But what 

 about the damage done ? 



In many such instances the fate of the mare has been 

 sealed, and probably that of the foal as well. 



In large breeding establishments the stud groom is often 

 obstetrician, but he has usually a fair knowledge of the elementary 

 principles of parturition. It is the easiest thing in the world 

 to infect the generative passage of a mare at foaling. 



Moreover, how can a layman be certain when the mouth 

 of the womb is sufficiently dilated to permit of the exit of the 

 foetus ? Special qualifications are necessary, and it is the 

 M.R.C.V.S. that is trained for this purpose. 



Unless thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, the fingers, 

 arms, etc., and soiling of the external generative organs, may 

 serve as a source for the introduction of micro-organisms 



245 



