380 A TREATISE ON HORSE-BREEDING. 



here, as the more complicated cases will require skilled 

 veterinary assistance. The usual and proper presentation of 

 the foal is with both fore legs first, and next, resting upon 

 these, the head will appear. In such a case help is not called 

 for, unless the colt be a very large one, or the mare small 

 with a narrow pelvis, when a little assistance may be care- 

 fully given by gently drawing upon the legs after the head 

 is well forward. But if there should appear only one fore 

 leg, or one or both hind legs, or the head is presented with- 

 out the legs, assistance should be rendered without delay. 

 It is generally necessary in such cases to return the foal, but 

 this should be done only between the throes of the mare, 

 and with care not to injure the foal. 



At other times the head will be found to be bent down- 

 ward, with the occipit or top pressing firmly against the 

 brim of the pelvis, and the feet only presented to our view. 

 Here our object must be to pass the foetus back until we can 

 grasp the head, and should we be able to reach it, we will 

 find a very convenient spot in the cavities of the orbits to 

 place a finger and thumb, when, by a little exertion, the 

 head may be brought into its proper place. 



One of the most common forms of irregular presentation is 

 the one in which both fore feet appear, with the head doubled 

 back or to one side. Before returning the foal a flat or 

 pliable rope should be fastened to each of the fore legs 

 above the fetlocks. Pressure should then be made against 

 the breast of the foal, and usually the head will then come 

 into line, if the foal is pushed far enough in. The ropes on 

 the feet are applied to secure them in case they should slip 

 into a wrong position, and actual pulling, if any should be- 

 come necessary after the foal is brought into position, should 

 never be done by these ropes, but by the feet and the head, 

 and not between the labor pains, but only when the mare 

 herself helps. 



Should the head be presented without the fore legs a slip- 

 noose of soft cord should be applied around the lower jaw. 

 The head should then be pushed inward as far as possible, 

 and the feet, one by one, drawn forward into position and 

 secured with soft rope, as above stated. The head should 



