92 THE HORSE. 



going down steep hills. In brief, all work of a severe charac- 

 ter, or which entails great exertion on the animal, must be 

 avoided. 



Feeding- Brood Mares. — As pregnancy advances, the 

 feeding of tlm mare must receive extra attention. All sudden 

 and abrupt changes in the diet, which are liable to bring about 

 digestive disturbances, must be avoided. It is inadvisable to 

 feed too much rough fodder to heavy in-foal mares, as the 

 abdomen is already abnormally distended by the foetus in 

 the womb, and undue pressure on the latter may easily be 

 caused if the intestines are distended by large quantities of 

 hay or chop, resulting, perhaps, in abortion occumng. Bran- 

 mashes and roots should be given pretty liberally, in order to 

 keep the bowels well relaxed and the system cool. As soon 

 as green forage becomes available, a goodly allowance of this 

 should be provided, but a. violent change from dry fare to 

 green-soiling must, of course, be avoided. 



It is very important to guard against constipation, the 

 boAvels requiring to be kept open. If plenty of laxative food 

 is provided, no opening medicine will be needed, as a rule. 

 Should it be deemed necessary to use a purgative, linseed oil 

 is the best agent to use. All violent purging of heavy in-foal 

 mares must be avoided, and j)hysic is quite out of place. Oats 

 and bran are the best concentrated foods to use for pregnant 

 mares, but maize can also be used in conjunction with oats. 

 Beans are too heating, and must not be fed. It is not advis- 

 able to let mares which are heavy in foal drink ice-cold 

 water, as this may upset them. 



Fatness in Brood Mares.^A fat condition of mares 

 far advanced in pregnancy is the reverse of desirable', and, 

 while feeding them well, they must not be allowed to 

 get actually fat. The risks attending parturition are much 

 greater in the case of fat mares than in that of mares in proper 

 breeding condition — i.e., well-nourished, but cairying no fat. 

 If the mare is in the proper condition and healtli}-, no undue 

 risks are attached to parturition ; a certain amount of risk is, of 



