94 THE HORSE. 



she can move about and select Avliichever position slie likes. 

 Under normal conditions, the fore-legs of the foal, placed 

 close together, and the head (muzzle in front), which lies on 

 the top of the fore-legs are the parts which are the first to 

 make their appearance. Human assistance is not re^quired 

 when parturition proceeds satisfactorily. Not infrequently, 

 the position occupied by the foal in the womb is different from 

 tlie normal one, this being termed a '"' mispresentation." In 

 such cases, the mare may need assistance, in order to deliver 

 herself of the foal, while in some instances, the mare may fail to 

 expel her foal, even though the presentation is normal. When- 

 ever it is necessary to assist in the birth of the foal, the ser- 

 vices of a competent veterinary surgeon must be obtained as 

 (luickly as possible. An inexperienced amateur should not at- 

 teiiii)t to assist the mare in expelling the foal, if skilful assis- 

 tance can be obtained. 



CHAPTER XX. 



DISEASES AND AILMENTS 



The diseases and ailments to which horses are subject are 

 numerous and of great variety. Some of them are not of a 

 serious nature, and are simple in character, admitting of being 

 successfully treated by the amateur, and not necessitating the 

 calling in of a veterinary surgeon. The following is a list of 

 this class of complaints : 1, Simple Diarrhoea; 2, Constipation; 

 ?i, Lampas; 4, Worms; 5, Parasitic skin diseases; 6, Surfeit; 

 7, Sore shoulder and sore back; 8, Slight cold and cough. The 

 nature and treatment of these complaints is as follows : — 



