124 THE HORSE. 



have a feed or two daily, after they are six months gone, and espe- 

 cially if the autumnal grasses are not rich and plentiful. Most 

 half-bred animals, however, do very well till about Christmas; 

 after which, hay and corn, with a few carrots, should be liberally 

 given them, still allowing them to pick up what grass they can find 

 in their paddocks. Excessive fat is a state of disease, and inter- 

 feres with the due nutrition of the foetus, while it is very danger- 

 ous at foaling-time, when it not only interferes with the process, 

 but also tends to produce fever. Supposing the mare to be at 

 work, she should have some kind of green food lucerne being the 

 best, and vetches, perhaps, the worst for the purpose, the latter 

 being too heating, especially to the organs contained within the 

 pelvis. Any of the grasses or clovers answer well; and, after they 

 are done, carrots form an excellent succedaneum, given sliced in a 

 bran mash every night. By adopting these articles of food, the 

 mare is kept free from inflammation, and yet the foal is well 

 nourished, which are the two essential points to be considered. 



EXCITEMENT OF EVERY KIND is a fertile source of " slipping" 

 the foal ; and everything which is at all likely to have that effect 

 should be carefully avoided. The smell of blood is said to have a 

 very prejudicial influence in this way; and there is no doubt that 

 one mare miscarrying will in some mode affect others in proximity 

 to her. Possibly the same cause may act on all ; but it seems to 

 be generally concluded that the act is really contagious, either from 

 what is called sympathy, or in some other as inexplicable way. If 

 a mare has " slipped" a foal in a previous pregnancy, double care 

 should be taken, as she will be far more likely to do so again than 

 another which has hitherto escaped the accident. It occurs most 

 frequently about the fourth or fifth month, therefore extra care 

 should be taken at that time. The suspected individual should be 

 kept quiet by herself; but it is better to allow her the run of a 

 small retired paddock, than to confine her to her hovel, where, for 

 want of exercise, she will become restless and anxious. Purging 

 physic should not be given, unless it is absolutely necessary; and 

 if the bowels are so confined as to require some stimulus of this 

 kind, and bran mashes and other changes in the food fail to pro- 

 duce any effect, choice should be made of the mildest aperient 

 which is likely to answer the purpose. With regard to the ma- 

 nagement of the mare in parturition, I shall leave its consideration 

 to my colleague, who will, doubtless, be of the same opinion as 

 myself, that, if assistance is demanded, it is safer to have recourse 

 at once to a properly educated veterinary surgeon. Stud grooms 

 who have had much experience will sometimes be able to aid 

 Nature with advantage; but, in the long run, they will probably 

 do more harm than good, if they attempt any serious interference. 



