154 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



foetus may be seen moving at the right flank, especially after 

 the mare has drunk a quantity of cold water. 



During pregnancy mares can perform a certain amount of 

 work, so long as it is not very heavy and is steady ; indeed, 

 slow and continuous work is advantageous to them until near, 

 or even up to within a day or two of foaling, and if they 

 cannot be worked they should at least have exercise — either 

 voluntary, as in a paddock, or in hand. But towards the end 

 of pregnancy, if not throughout the whole period — which is 

 from 330 to 360 days — severe or straining work should be 

 avoided, and a week or so before foaling it ought to be very 

 light, if allowed at all. And for some time, if not during all 

 the interval, the animal should be stabled in a loose box or 

 roomy shed, apart from other horses, and with the view to 

 prevent accidents, such as kicks, getting " cast/' etc. 



The feeding of a pregnant mare is of much importance with 

 regard to her own health and that of the foetus, and requires a 

 good deal of judgment, if justice is to be done to both. Gross 

 condition must be guarded against to prevent abortion, as well 

 as under-feeding, which leads to debility of the mare, and bad 

 development and feeble health of the foal. No fixed rule can 

 be prescribed, as individual cases must be dealt with on their 

 requirements. If the mare is working, then a little more food 

 than is allowed to non-pregnant animals must be given. It is 

 needless, of course, to insist that it should be of good quality. 

 Grass alone may suffice for non-working mares, if it be sweet 

 and nutritious, but towards the ninth or tenth month, an 

 allowance of grain may advantageously be added. For heavy 

 draught-mares doing no work, unless they are very young or 

 old, or it is in the depth of winter, green and chopped forage, 

 with pulped roots, will suffice. Reynolds recommends mashes 

 or bruised oats or barley, associated with pulped roots and 

 chopped hay or straw, moistened with linseed-cake water, for 

 draught pregnant mares at work ; as these articles form a sub- 



