FOALING 



proper way for a foal to make its entry into the world is 

 with its fore-legs first and its head between them ; but it is 

 not very unusual for complications to occur, and hence the 

 necessity for professional assistance. A big, powerful mare 

 which is having a bad time of it is sure to be beyond the 

 powers of an amateur accoucheur to deal with, as observations 

 may have to be made and possibly instruments used which 

 may cost both her and the foal their lives if not properly 

 performed. 



Mares usually foal standing up, and this causes the navel 

 string to break ; but if it does not, owing to her lying down, 

 two pieces of tape must be tied round it, and it must be cut 

 through between them. Unless the after-birth comes away 

 within thirty-six hours, advice should be obtained in case 

 it putrifies and causes blood-poisoning, which may result in 

 death. Should the mare appear weak either during labour 

 or after foaling, two or three ounces of brandy may be given 

 to her ; and if she has had a long labour, accompanied by 

 much straining, or if she is an old mare, a wide bandage may 

 be put round her belly to keep it up and give relief to the 

 muscles. As observed above, the average mare manages to 

 get through her troubles pretty well by herself; but with the 

 highly bred and excitable animals it is often different, as 

 these often either get frightened at the sight of their foals 

 or take a dislike to them, so, unless some one is at hand, the 

 youngster may be killed. If, however, the mare can once 

 be got to lick the foal all danger will be past, and she may 

 be often induced to do so by sprinkling some bran or flour 

 on the back of the foal. 



Should the dam prove herself to be a bad mother, and 

 decline to attend to her maternal duties, the foal will have 

 to be dried with towels, and if cold, its ears and legs should 

 be rubbed so as to get them warm and promote circulation. 

 One reason for having somebody near at the time of foaling 

 is that the young one may come into the world so weak 

 that it may be thought to be dead. If so, its face and mouth 

 should be sponged with cold water, the nostrils should be 



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