MANAGEMENT OF BROOD MARES. 93 



course, always present. These risks (" foaling risks ") can be 

 covered by insurance with one of the live-stock insurance com- 

 panies. 



Indications of a Mare being: about to Foal. — 



The indications of approaching parturitioii are: The belly, 

 which has gradually increased in size during the period of ges- 

 tation, is large and distended. In some cases, this feature is 

 much more noticeable than in others. The nmscles of the 

 back in the region of the loins become slightly relaxed, the 

 back showing some hollowness in this part as. a consequence. 

 Tlie udder swells more or less, and a waxy substance is. secreted 

 at the teats, this process being known as '" waxing." In some 

 cases, mares begin to '' wax " only a few days before foaling, 

 while in others, the waxy substance makes its appearance at 

 the teats a few weeks before birth. A breeder ought, of 

 course, to note down the date on which his mares are last 

 served, so that he has an approximate idea when to expect 

 the foal. 



Treatment before Foaling: — A few days before 

 tlie birth of the foal is expected, the mare should be stabled 

 in a roomy box if it is early in the seasou and the weather is 

 cold. If the date of foaling falls in May, and the weather 

 is w^arm enough, she may be placed in a straw-yard, and an 

 open shed wall afford all the protection she and the newly-born 

 foal wdll require. The floor of the box or of the' shed must be 

 well littered with clean wheat straw. Regular work must cease 

 some days before foaling, but gentle walking exercise for about 

 a couple of hours should be given until the day of foaling. 

 If the weather is genial, a few hours' run in a paddock will 

 do as well as exercise. 



Foaling:. — It is highly desirable that the breeder should 

 himself be present when parturition takes place, in case assis- 

 tance is required. The act of parturition generally proceeds 

 satisfactorily and rapidly. It is, above all, essential that the 

 mare should have plenty of room when foaling down, so that 



