BROOD MARES 9 



a short time of foaling, but, at least a week before foal- 

 ing, she should be placed in a roomy box stall, with 

 plenty of good, dry bedding, so that she may be accus- 

 tomed to the new surroundings before the foal arrives. 

 During this period she should receive less oats and 

 more bran than she received while at work. Oats and 

 bran are the proper grains for a brood mare. If the 

 season is suitable, and flies are not too troublesome, 

 the mare should, if possible, be turned out to pasture 

 two or three weeks before foaling, instead of being 

 kept in a box stall. 



It is very important not to make sudden changes in 

 the treatment of a mare in foal. If you are working 

 her, do not for any reason stop working her abruptly; 

 but diminish the work slowly, day by day. If, on the 

 other hand, she has been idle, and you want to use 

 her, begin working her in the same careful and gradual 

 way. 



Avoid giving the brood mare excessively cold water 

 to drink, or too much water at one time. Very cold 

 water often causes abortion. So does a slip or strain; 

 and if there is any smooth ice In the yard where the 

 mare Is turned out for exercise, pains should be taken to 

 cover it with ashes or some other like material. Many 

 a mare, and many a colt also, has been ruined by 

 slipping or falling In the barnyard. Backing a load is 

 another dangerous thing for a mare In foal. 



If the mare loses her foal, great care should be taken 

 of her. She should be milked at frequent intervals, 

 fed on dry food with little or no grain, and her udder 

 should be rubbed with camphorated oil. A similar 



