154 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



probe-pointed knife, and should be done by a professional man if pos- 

 sible. The subsequent dilatation ma}" be best effected by the slow 

 expansion of sponge or seaweed tents inserted into the narrow canal. 

 In such cases it is best to let the wounds of the neck heal before put- 

 ting- to horse. An imperforate h3^nen mar be frcel}^ incised in a 

 crucial manner until the £>assao-e will admit the human hand. An 

 ordinary knife may be used for this purpose, and after the operation 

 the stallion may be admitted at once or only after the wounds have 

 healed. 



INDICATIONS OF PREGNANCY. 



As the mere fact of service by the stallion does not insure preg- 

 nane}', it is important that the result should be determined, to save 

 the mare from unnecessai-y and dangerous work or medication when 

 actually in foal and to obviate wasteful and needless precautions when 

 she is not. 



The cessation and nonrecurrence of the symptoms of heat (horsing) 

 arc most significant though not an infallible sign of conception. If 

 the sexual excitement speedily subsides and the mare persistently 

 refuses the stallion for a month, she is probably pregnant. In very 

 exceptional cases a mare will accept a second or third service after 

 weeks or months, though pregnant, and some mares will refuse the 

 horse persistent!}', though conception has not taken place, and this in 

 spite of warm weather, good condition of the mare, and liberal feed- 

 ing. The recurrence of heat in the pregnant mare is most likely to 

 take place in hot weather. If heat merely persists an undue length of 

 time after service, or if it reappears shortly after, in warm weather 

 and in a comparatively idle mare, on good feeding, it is less signifi- 

 cant, while the persistent absence of heat under such conditions may 

 be usually accepted as proof of conception. 



An unwonted gentleness and docility on the part of a previously 

 irritable or vicious mare, and supervening on service, is an excellent 

 indication of pregnancy, the generative instinct which caused the 

 excitement having been satisfied. 



An increase of fat, with softness and fiabbiuess of muscle, a loss of 

 energy, indisposition for active work, a manifestation of laziness, 

 indeed, and of fatigue early and easily induced, when preceded by 

 service, will usually imply conception. 



Enlargement of the abdomen, especially in its lower third, with 

 slight falling in beneath the loins and hoUowness of the back are sig- 

 nificant symptoms, though they may be entirely absent. Swelling and 

 firmness of the udder, with the smoothing out of its wrinkles, is a 

 suggestive sign, even thoug'h it appears only at intervals during ges- 

 tation. 



A steady increase in weight (li pounds daily) a]>out the fourth or 



