BREEDING. 155 



stantial and at the same time a non-exciting and easily-digested 

 diet. He also adds that maize is not a suitable food for such 

 mares, as when it constitutes a chief part of their grain allow- 

 ance the foals always exhibit general weakness of muscle, and 

 abnormal relaxation of the ligaments of the joints. 



Food should be given at frequent intervals, as long fasts 

 are injurious, especially when they are succeeded by over- 

 repletion. 



If possible, clean fresh water should be provided ; and if 

 at pasture, provision ought to be made to shelter brood mares 

 from extremes of heat and cold. Care ought also to be taken 

 that the animals be not frightened or chased when near foaling; 

 and young horses or cattle should not be pastured with them, 

 lest injury be inflicted and abortion produced. This accident 

 is due to a number of causes, but in the mare it is generally 

 injury which brings it on, though in some animals there is a 

 predisposition to it from malformation or disease. Improper 

 diet, illness, over-exertion, exposure to bad weather, fright, 

 drinking too much cold water, poisonous plants, frosted food, 

 etc., may all operate in causing such an accident. 



When abortion occurs early in pregnancy, it is often un- 

 observed, and causes but little apparent disturbance in the 

 mare ; but when it takes place later it is very noticeable, and 

 sometimes serious in its results. It usually takes place 

 suddenly, and without any of the usual premonitory signs of 

 parturition, though there may be a good deal of distress pre- 

 ceding and accompanying the expulsive effort. When the 

 foetus dies and is not expelled, there may be no immediate 

 indications of its death, but in a short time a foul-smelling 

 discharge will take place from the external genital parts, show- 

 ing that putrefaction has set in, and the dead creature will 

 come away, or require removal ; the mare will also be dull and 

 feverish, or uneasy and restless. Veterinary assistance should 

 in all these cases be sought, particularly if the dead foetus or 



