CHAPTER IV 

 TREATMENT OF THE FOAL 



A S soon as the foal is born, the navel should be 

 ^ ^ washed with a solution like that used on the mare, 

 and if it is necessary to sever the cord this should be 

 done with the same attention to cleanliness observed 

 with respect to the mare. 



These precautions are necessary to prevent " navel 

 ill," a dangerous infection of the navel cord, caused 

 by those filth germs found everywhere, and especially 

 in dark, damp corners of the barn. Tying the navel 

 cord with a dirty string, or with dirty hands, often 

 causes it. For the same reason it is important that, if 

 the mare foals in a stall, the stall and the bedding in 

 it should be perfectly clean. 



The next thing is to see that the foal's bowels are 

 open, and if this is not the case the foal should be 

 given an injection of warm water and soap, or a dose, 

 by the mouth, of olive oil, about one or two table- 

 spoonfuls. Castor oil should never be given to a foal 

 as it is too severe in its effect. 



Sometimes retention of the meconeum is mistaken 

 for constipation. The meconeum is the contents of the 

 intestines at the time of birth, and, if all goes well, it 

 will be passed by the foal, a few hours after birth, in 

 the form of dark-colored balls. If this does not 

 happen, and the foal is straining without avail, it means 



[II] 



