44 The Practical Stud Groom. 



the foal's body which would experience the most difficulty in 

 passing through the pelvic hoop would be its fore-quarters, 

 comprised of the humerus, scapular, etc. Unlike the pelvis, 

 these bones are not rigid, but capable of a variety of move- 

 ments. As they are in duplicate, viz., one set on the near 

 and the other on the off side^, it follows that their negotiation 

 of the pelvic hoop will be greatly facilitated if they are 

 presented alternately instead of simultaneously. If the fore- 

 going hypothesis is correct, it also follows that to endeavour 

 to keep the foal's feet level during the first stages of parturi- 

 tion is wrong in theory and practice. 



As labour proceeds, the appearance of the feet will be 

 quickly followed by that of the nose and finally the entire 

 head of the foal. So far progress will have been rapid and 

 easy. Now comes the critical stage; the foal's shoulders 

 have reached the pelvis and neck of the womb. The mare 

 strains with great violence, groans, and breathes ster- 

 torously, but the foal remains stationary, tightly wedged 

 in the pelvic circle. The mare ceases her straining. The 

 novice may be excused if he now becomes anxious and appre- 

 hensive, for many an old hand, who has not studied the 

 anatomy and pathology of the subject, acts at this stage 

 absolutely at variance with the dictates of common-sense. 

 The particular muscles which are brought into play to eject 

 the foal possess enormous power, and when it is realised that 

 the neck of the womb in its normal state will only just admit 

 one's finger, and that it is encircled with a more or less rigid 

 hoop of bone and cartilage, it will readily be understood how 

 great is the ejectory power required to force a large body 

 through such a comparatively small aperture. The muscles 

 controlling the neck of the womb, although capable of great 

 expansion, are also capable of great resistance, and only 

 yield to prolonged force, when a species of cramp or 



