Q?^.<' DR. CHASE'S RECIPES. 



Brood Mares, Proper Care of, Before and at the Time oi 



Foaling. — The author is indebted to the "Veterinary" of the New York 

 Spint and a correspondent of the Michigan Farmer for the following sensible 

 instructions as to the proper food and care of brood mares at this critical period 

 of their lives; and especially will it be found necessary to have an eye to the 

 mother's conduct towards the foal or colt, if it is her first, as she may be kind 

 to it and she may not ; still, watchful care is very important in all cases until the 

 colt is up and doing well. The writers speak very much alike, as though one 

 had copied from the other, in parts at least, but which is the copyist I do not 

 know ; but as each is more full in some poinrs than the other, I shall use 

 all important points without giving both in full, as that would only be a repeti- 

 tion, my credit being given jointly, as above. The combination is sensible and 

 worthy of consideration. It is as follows: 



" The best feed for the brood mare is cornstalks or good timothy hay, with 

 trom 4 to 6 qt3. of ground oats and wheat bran (equal parts) each day. The 

 ground oats and wheat bran not only enable the dam to make all necessary 

 preparations to supply the coming foal with nourishment at the time when most 

 needed, but it keeps her healthy and strong, and enables her to furnish the 

 growing foetus (colt in uterus) with the best kind of material to make the best 

 bone and muscle. The dam should also have moderate exercise, but it should 

 be regular. If she be used in a team, she should not be driven faster than a 

 walk, nor loaded too heavily, for in either case there is danger of injuring the 

 dam and ruining the foal. She should be housed or sheltered nights and in all 

 stormy weather. As foaling time approaches, she particularly needs the prac- 

 ticed eye of the careful and experienced breeder. For she should be watched 

 both day and night, as many a valuable colt has been lost that two minutes' 

 \abor at the particular time would have saved. As soon as the colt is dropped, 

 the attendant should see that its head is free from the membrane or sac with 

 which it is enveloped, as the colt will otherwise soon smother. The next thing 

 is to sever the umbilical cord about 5 inches from the foal and tie the end next 

 to the colt to prevent bleeding, etc. This, if possible, should be done before the 

 dam rises, as manj' a colt has been ruptured at the navel by the dam rising 

 before the string was severed. After the above has been promptly attended to, 

 leave the dam alone with the foal for half an hour and carefully watch her 

 actions. Now, in case she seems disposed to injure, or in any way abuse the 

 foal, it should be taken away from her and covered with a blanket until dry. 

 at the end of a few hours, the attendant with whom the mare is most familiar 

 should endeavor to assist the foal to suckle. If necessary the mare must be 

 placed under more or less restraint. The twitch, strapping up one foot, or the 

 side line must be resorted to, while the assistant renders the necessary assistance 

 by holding the colt at the side and by putting the nose to tlie teat of the mare. 

 After the colt is able to draw its nourishment from the dam without the aid of 

 its attendant, little need be done but furnish ashed, if the weather be inclement^ 

 and a liberal supply of good hay or stalks, and a peck of ground oats and bran 

 per day until there is a full growth of green, spring grass." 



Bemarks. — The author can see nothing to add to these instructions, except. 



