DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 189 



warm water and soap. Press the foal back into the womb 

 and make a thorough examination. Should the difficulty be 

 dropsy (the belly distended with water) make a small open- 

 ing in the belly of the foal with a sharp knife to allow the 

 water to come off. Great care must be exercised to guard 

 the knife well with the hand to prevent injury to the mother. 

 After this operation, with a little assistance, delivery usually 

 takes place without further difficulty. 



8. Enlarged Head. 



Sometimes the foal's head is enlarged with water on the 

 brain. In this case the foal comes so far that only the legs 

 and the point of the nose may be seen. After using a little 

 force without success examine the head. If it is enlarged, 

 with a sharp knife cut a hole in the softest part of the en- 

 largement and allow the water to ecape from the brain. Now, 

 by giving the mare a little assistance, delivery will take place 

 without further difficulty. 



9. Legs and Head Not Together. 



The foal may come in various positions. Should the head 

 and one front leg come, force the foal back and bring the 

 other leg forward. This is usually all that is necessary. 

 Should the front legs come without the head, press the foal 

 back, make a noose on a small piece of rope four or five feet 

 long, slip this over the head. Allow an assistant to pull 

 gently upon the rope ; at the same time help to straighten 

 the head and neck. When this is done pull gradually upon 

 the legs and the foal will come without any trouble. Should 

 the head and neck come without the legs, the foal must be 

 pressed backward and the legs brought forward before as- 

 sistance is given. 



Cases are met with where the four legs come together 

 while the head remains turned back. In such a case it is 

 always best to force the front legs back as far as possible 

 with the hand and arm and then bring the foal forward, rear 

 end first. Do not under any consideration attempt to force 

 delivery head first in a case of this kind. 



10. Rear End First. 



The foal sometimes comes backward, and if the hind legs 

 come first there is usually no difficulty. If the legs do not 

 come as they should and the tail, rump and hips only can be 



