CHAPTER IX. 



FOALING (PARTURITION) AND THE DISEASES 

 FOLLOWING IT. 



THE mare usually carries her foal eleven months. The 

 time, however, varies considerably in many cases. 

 Some go a few days less than this time and others 

 have been known to carry the foal as long as twelve 

 months. 



The covering or sack that envelops the foal is known 

 variously as the placenta, the cleaning, or the after birth. 

 This sack is attached to the inner side of the womb by means 

 of little processes called villi. 



The navel string or umbelical cord attaches the foal to 

 the placenta. Through this cord nourishment to the foetus 

 is supplied during the time it is in the mother's womb. 



Between the foal and the after-birth is a fluid (the use 

 of which is to protect the foal from being injured while its 

 mother is moving about). This is called the amoniotic fluid. 



I. — Foaling (Parturition). 

 Parturition is the act of bringing forth or being delivered 

 of the fully developed foal, and as before stated usually takes 

 place at the end of the eleventh month after being served by 

 the male. 



1. How to Tell When a Mare Is With Foal. 



The mare becomes much quieter in disposition and 

 thrives better. The belly gradually becomes distended. At 

 or about the end of the sixth or seventh month the movement 

 of the foal may be felt. This is more likely to be the case 

 after the mother has taken a drink of cold water, and because 

 of the foal lying a little to the left side it is more likely to 

 be felt on this than on the right side. 



The neck of the womb of a pregnant mare is sealed 

 tight. This may be ascertained by passing the hand well 

 oiled into the passage. While making an examination in this 

 way it is often possible to feel the movement of the foal. 

 This, of course, is the surest method. 



