124 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE. 



you can feel the foal in the womb, at the same time you are ex- 

 amining- the neck. This is the surest method of telling, especially 

 if the mare is only in foal a short time and it is very small. 

 During the time of carrying the foal the mare does not come in 

 season every three weeks, although mares have been known to 

 take the horse and still be with foal. 



THE WAY TO USE A MARE WHEN WITH FOAL. 



Keep her in her natural condition as nearly as possible. Feed 

 fairly well, although it is not well to have her too fat. Keep her 

 out running around every day if it is fine, so as to have good 

 exercise. It does not hurt a mare to work her as long as the 

 work is light and steady, but never pull her too heavy or back her 

 up suddenly, for mares often lose their foal by doing' this. 



SIGNS OF IMMEDIATE FOALING. 



There is a falling away at each side of the tail very noticeable, 

 and, as a general thing, wax or milk will run from the teats for a 

 day or so before foaling. A few hours before foaling the mare 

 seems to be very uneasy ; labor pains come on, and with the 

 pains she is noticed to strain. Very soon the water bag appears, 

 and as it comes the pains become worse; she strains and lies down. 

 If the foal is coming as it should, the head and front feet will 

 make their appearance, after this the mare should be delivered of 

 it in a very few minutes. If the mare has much difficulty, it is 

 well to pull upon the legs while she is straining. Generally the 

 cleaning comes away with the foal. The foal has known to be 

 smothered when the cleaning comes away without being broken, 

 so it is better for someone to be around during the time the mare 

 is foaling, and if anything should occur like this, break the clean- 

 ing, or after-birth, and save the foal from smothering-. 



NAVEL STRING (UMBILICAL CORD). 



If this cord does not break immediately after foaling, take a 

 piece of cord and tie it very tightly one inch from the belly, then 

 cut the navel string oflF an inch below where it is tied and leave 

 the string on until it drops off ; this is to keep it from bleeding. 



THE NATURAL WAY FOR THE FOAL TO COME. 



The foal should come with front end first, with the front feet 

 and head coming together. 



