84 The Practical Stud Groom. 



case if it were simultaneously deprived of its mother's com- 

 panionship and immured in strange quarters. The separa- 

 tion being effected, the mare can have a small ration of hay, 

 and at the expiration of four hours the udder should have 

 attention. If it is distended with milk it must be fully 

 relieved; if only a small quantity has been secreted, it 

 should not be milked dry, but a portion only drawn off. The 

 object to be kept in view is to dry up the milk supply as 

 quickly as may be, while avoiding all risk of congestion or 

 inflammation ; to strip the mare's udder dry at frequent 

 intervals would serve only to stimulate the secretion of milk, 

 and prolong the supply indefinitely. Heavy milking mares 

 will require frequent attention during the first twenty-four 

 hours after weaning. Of course each case must be treated 

 on its individual merits, but the general routine is to keep 

 the mare on short commons as regards hay and water for the 

 first forty-eight hours. Draw off sufficient milk every four 

 hours for the first twelve, then every six hours for the next 

 twelve. Four times during the next forty-eight hours, once 

 daily for the next two days, then every other day, then every 

 third day till the secretion of milk ceases. The mare can be 

 turned out for a short time daily after the third day, 

 preferably in a paddock where the herbage is scanty. The 

 poorer the grazing, the less the milk secretion. Should the 

 udder get congested and become hard, swollen, and painful 

 to the touch, it should have hot fomentations, after which 

 the accumulated matter should be gently drawn off from the 

 udder, which should then have some Marsh Mallow oint- 

 ment or pure olive oil rubbed into it. Repeat this treatment 

 till the udder becomes soft and pliable to the touch. Four 

 ounces of Epsom Salts twice daily in a mash will serve to 

 keep the mare's blood cool, and clear the system of 

 impurities. 



