272 



BREEDING 



soon after straining commences, that an examination should be made, and 

 if the cause of obstruction cannot be discovered or speedily removed, then 

 the veterinary surgeon ought to be called upon to render assistance with as 

 little loss of time as possible, as every minute's delay increases the gravity 

 of the case. 



If the attendant possesses sufficient knowledge of veterinary obstetrics 

 to enable him to deal with a comparatively simple case of difficult parturi- 

 tion when skilled assistance is not immediately available, then, of course, 

 he will first make an examination in order to inform himself of the cause of 



Fig. 546. Neck Presented, Fore-legs directed backwards 



obstruction to delivery. Should he find the foal in a favourable position, 

 with the fore-legs presenting and the head forward or resting upon them, 

 with sufficient room for the young creature to pass through the canal, then 

 prudence may induce him to wait a little, as the labour pains may not be 

 strong enough to produce its expulsion. If, however, the position of the 

 foal is not favourable to speedy birth it must be rectified, or if the labour 

 pains are feeble, even when the position is good, and especially if some time 

 has elapsed, then in both cases, steady and firm but not violent traction 

 may succeed in effecting delivery. It should be noted that some old mares 

 have a large pendulous abdomen, which is a hindrance to foaling, as the 

 young creature is so much below the level of the passage through which it 

 has to pass to reach the outer world, that the abdominal muscles which 

 are those chiefly concerned in the expulsion of the foal cannot raise it 



