156 THE PRACTICAL HOESE KEEPER. 



its membranes are retained. If there are other pregnant 

 mares, they should be removed from the immediate neighbour- 

 hood of that which has miscarried, and cleansing and 

 deodorising of the box ought to be carried out as speedily as 

 possible. 



FOALING. 



It is well to know the signs of approaching parturition, as 

 if the mare and her produce are valuable, it may be desirable 

 to have an attendant with her, in case she requires assistance. 



Such an occurrence is not very frequent in the equine 

 species not nearly so often as in the bovine yet with highly- 

 bred and artificially-kept mares, and particularly with those of 

 the draught breeds, as well as those which have had several 

 foals, which causes the belly to be more pendulous, difficult 

 birth and a fatal termination are not very uncommon. 



Towards the end of pregnancy the belly drops, the hind- 

 quarters and the flanks sink inwards, the movements of the 

 young creature are seen to be more active, the external organs 

 of generation become rather swollen, and the mare is dull and 

 sluggish. The udder also becomes enlarged, and it begins to 

 secrete a fluid. This is an important sign, and if it is desired 

 to ascertain when parturition is likely to take place, a good 

 index will be afforded by the nature of the change that occurs 

 in the secretion a change which can be demonstrated by 

 milking the mare. At first, what may be called the milk is a 

 dark-coloured, thick, and sticky fluid, but about a day before 

 foaling it becomes white, and has the ordinary appearance of 

 milk. This indication is particularly valuable when it is 

 determined to have the mare attended to during the birth of 

 the foal. 



Parturition in the mare is usually a prompt act, and is 

 accomplished without assistance, if the full time of pregnancy 

 has been reached, and if there is no deformity or obstacle in 



