BREEDS OF HORSES 61 



foods to keep the bowels acting freely. Constipation is dangerous. 

 When wax forms on the teats, about three days before foaling, stop 

 working the mare and place her in a prepared box stall where she 

 can be watched until the foal is born. 



After foaling leave the mare alone for a time, if she is lying 

 down. If she does not expel her afterbirth promptly when she rises 

 from resting, inject into her womb one-half gallon of lukewarm 1 

 per cent solution of coal tar disinfectant, or other mild antiseptic. 

 If the afterbirth then does not come away within an hour or two, it 

 should be removed by hand. An expert should be employed for this 

 operation and when it has been performed the womb should again 

 be flushed out with an antiseptic solution. Half an hour after the 

 birth of the foal, or about that time, offer the mare a pailful of luke- 

 warm water and again at intervals of two hours. Mares are thirsty 

 at this time and should be abundantly supplied with water. An 

 hour after foaling the mare may eat a mash of steamed oats, and 

 bran, if she has been accustomed to such feed; otherwise give her a 

 small feed of her ordinary grain ration. In a few days, if the weather 

 is fine, the mare and foal may take some outdoor exercise and in two 

 weeks, or thereabouts, she should have recovered from foaling and 

 be taking her usual feed, grazing grass and getting ready to resume 

 light work in harness. 



The Foaling Box-Stall. Two 14 by 14 foot box stalls should be 

 kept ready for the use of mares on every farm where foals are raised. 

 No mare should be allowed to foal in an ordinary stall, or unpre- 

 pared box stall. Navel and joint diseases will not be likely to attack 

 foals born in clean places. An absolutely clean foaling place is nec- 

 essary and should be prepared as follows: 



Remove and burn all loose litter, and manure. Cleanse and 

 scrape the floor ; then saturate it with a hot 1-50 solution of coal tar 

 disinfectant, or a solution of 4 ounces of sulphate of copper (blue- 

 stone) to one gallon of hot water. Scrub and cleanse the walls with 

 a similar solution of coal tar disinfectant; or a 1-1000 solution of 

 corrosive sublimate. Cleanse the ceiling in the same way; then ap- 

 ply to walls and ceiling fresh made lime white wash, to each gallon 

 of which has been added one-third of a pound of chloride of lime. 

 Cover the floor with fresh, dry planing mill shavings in preference 

 to any other bedding material. Remove manure as soon as it is 

 dropped. 



When the foal is born and has been cared for and the afterbirth 

 of the mare has come away, remove the mare and foal to the second 

 box stall, prepared as. was the first. Then clean out, disinfect, and 

 whitewash the stall just used and put in fresh, clean dry shavings in 

 readiness for the reception of the next mare. The mare must always 

 occupy a clean, specially prepared box-stall and it should be perfectly 

 ventilated and as sunny as possible. 



Where but one box-stall is available clean it out, burn the after- 

 birth and soiled bedding, use a disinfecting solution freely on the 

 floor and put in plenty of fresh, dry, clean shavings as soon as pos- 

 sible after the birth of the foal. If the mare foals on grass treat the 

 foal as if it had been born in the stable. Navel infection is less liable 



