326 A TREATISE ON HORSE-BREEDING. 



times complicated with metritis, or inflammation of the 

 womb, or some other excitant malady, which should be 

 ascertained, and treatment of such complications directed ac- 

 cording to their nature. (See "Inflammation of the Womb.") 

 Among the causes of colt founder is a plethoric condition, 

 resulting from improper diet and regimen during the last 

 months of pregnancy. Mares subjected to moderate work 

 and light, nutritious diet, are seldom affected with this mal- 

 ady, while those kept idle and fed largely on corn or rich 

 food are more commonly affected. In some instances breed- 

 ers are known to have given their brood mares large and 

 nutritious mashes, with the intention of promoting a large 

 flow of milk. When such a diet is combined with total in- 

 activity, as is common, with a mistaken view of avoiding 

 abortion, a state of plethora is readily induced, which has a 

 great tendency to the development of local inflammations, 

 and among these the so-called colt founder. The treatment 

 should, from the beginning of the evil, be like that adopted 

 for the same disease generally, but more energetic, both 

 locally and internally. Saline laxatives (a pound of Epsom 

 or Glauber's salts, etc.), succeeded with sedatives (aconite, 

 fifteen to twenty-drop doses, not exceeding six doses, at in- 

 tervals of two hours), and poultices applied to the feet, after 

 the shoes have been removed and the edge of the hoof has 

 been pared down, leaving the sole and the frog intact, so 

 that the bearing of the animal's weight comes most upon 

 the central part of the foot. Not the least effective remedy is 

 that of allowing the colt to suck, and, if necessary, additional 

 stripping of the udder, with a view of promoting increased 

 secretion of the mammary glands. In some cases, with 

 acute inflammation and high fever, no milk is secreted; 

 nevertheless the sucking should never be omitted. The re- 

 turn of milk generally indicates a successful issue. A mare 

 subject to such affection should not be bred so as to have her 

 colt too early in the year; for if she could be turned out on a 

 good pasture before foaling the trouble would most likely be 

 entirely avoided. She must not be fed so as to become 

 plethoric or fat. Give good oats, occasional soft mashes, 

 with bran and flaxseed-meal, say at least once a week, and 



