SIGNS OF APPROACHING PARTURITION 219 

 PERIOD OF GESTATION AND PARTURITION 



The normal period of gestation may be placed at 

 three hundred and forty days, though it varies in horses 

 as it does in all other species of mammals. Veterinary 

 writers usually place the minimum period at three 

 hundred, and the maximum at four hundred days, for 

 mares. Some breeders believe that if the normal 

 period of gestation is exceeded it indicates the proba- 

 bility of a male colt. 



If there is more than one mare to be bred, the stint- 

 ing of them as near together as possible will diminish 

 the work of the care-taker at foaling time. As the 

 time of parturition approaches, an attendant should be 

 close at hand, both day and night; and several foals 

 and mares can thus be cared for with the minimum of 

 extra attention. 



The period of gestation being variable, the mare 

 should be closely watched as her normal time of bring- 

 ing forth young approaches. There are signs of the 

 near approach of parturition which, though not infal- 

 lible, give indication of near delivery. The udder may 

 become greatly distended, especially in the morning, 

 but exercise usually reduces it. The teats seldom 

 become large and plump more than two or three days 

 before the foal is dropped. A large udder does not 

 necessarily imply near approach to delivery. The waxy 

 substance which closes the ends of the teats usually 

 loosens and allows the milk to escape about one day 

 prior to the birth of the foal. Sometimes the foal is 

 born before there is sufficient flow of milk to sustain 



