Shires 17 



and therefore better able to go through the diflficult and risky act 

 of parturition than mares that are in high condition. If care is 

 exercised, mares can be worked up to within two months of foal- 

 ing, or nearer in some cases, provided they are not put between 

 shafts when they are advanced in pregnancy ; at this period they 

 should, of course, only be put in trace harness. It is advisable to 

 give the mare a respite from all work a month or six weeks before 

 foaling; the hind shoes should be taken off, and the legs dressed 

 and washed, as well as the mane and tail, to make her as com- 

 fortable as possible for the coming period of motherhood. A large, 

 roomy, and well-ventilated loose box is essential for foaling mares 

 in, with a good floor of brick or concrete, which can be kept 

 thoroughly clean, for cleanliness is one of the essential conditions 

 in the foaling box. 



After foaling, the mare should be kept on sloppy mashes con- 

 taining some crushed oats for two or three days to promote the 

 flow of milk and to keep the bowels right, together with a little 

 sweet meadow hay, after which she can be put on dry food, and 

 if the weather is favourable, and when the sun is shining, they can 

 be put out in the field for a few hours each day when the foal is 

 about a week old. 



The ideal time for foaling is in April, when the mare and foal 

 can be turned out to grass as soon as the foal is strong enough ; 

 but many breeders, especially those who go in for showing, prefer 

 to have their mares foaling down in February or March, or even 

 in January, but this is attended by many risks, and very early foals 

 cause much more anxiety and difficulty in rearing, as must be the 

 case when they have to be kept cooped up in a loose box for weeks 

 on account of the inclement weather in the early part of the year, 

 though from the show point of view the early foal has a distinct 

 advantage over the later foal. 



The docking of foals' tails should be done early, that is when 

 they are about a month old, or even a week earlier if the foal is 

 strong and healthy. It is an easy operation, which can be per 

 formed by any intelligent man who has seen it done previously, 

 and does not really require the services of a veterinary surgeon. 

 Of course, a proper docking knife and iron are required for the 

 operation. 



With regard to the management of the legs of the Shire horse, 

 with so much hair they are apt to become scurfy and itchy unless 

 they are regularly attended to. In our experience, the best dressing 

 to apply is a mixture consisting of linseed oil i pt., paraffin | pt., 

 powered sulphur 2 tablespoonfuls. This should be well rubbed in 

 Vol. IIL 35 



