HINTS TO YOUNG BREEDERS 155 



far more strengthening than any artificial succedaneum, 

 to say nothing of the invigorating effects produced 

 upon the baby by fresh air and sunshine. On the 

 other hand, a late summer or early autumn colt will 

 not have time to gain strength before the winter sets 

 in, while the dam will be changing her coat, and be 

 therefore more liable to catch cold. Should the novice 

 not have a building suitable as a " lying-in " hospital 

 on his property, a barn, so long as it is sheltered, 

 roomy, and well ventilated, will be sufficient for the 

 purpose, and such a place can generally be hired in 

 country places for the short time that it is required. 

 It should be protected with dry litter, never with new 

 straw, which at this period mares are apt to devour 

 greedily with a morbid appetite. Both food and water 

 should be supplied in moderation three times a day. 

 As the time approaches for the mare to foal, she should 

 be visited every second hour both day and night, as at 

 the crisis attention and watchfulness are most essential. 

 In nine cases out of ten, mares will require no assist- 

 ance during the act of parturition ; but, if assistance is 

 needed, it is better to trust to the services of an ex- 

 perienced shepherd or cowman, who, in the absence of 

 a veterinary surgeon, will generally be available to 

 those of a groom, whose experience, if he have any at 

 all, must necessarily be limited. Moreover, the mare 

 resents any over-officious assistance, and her efforts to 

 resent it are dangerous to herself and the foal. After 

 delivery she should on no account be disturbed or 

 interfered with, especially while she is cleaning the 

 foal. After that process is finished, she should have 



