220 THE HORSE 



it, in which case resort must be had to the nursing- 

 bottle. About one week before parturition occurs, a 

 shrinking and falling away of the muscles of the buttock 

 near the root of the tail takes place. 



The mare's milk is relatively poor in fat and protein 

 and rich in sugar. If cow's milk must, for a time, be 

 substituted for the mare's, in part or in whole, that of 

 a fresh young cow should be used. It may be modified 

 by adding a little water to reduce the per cent of fat 

 and protein, and a little sugar that the modified milk 

 may be similar in constituents to the dam's. The tem- 

 perature of the milk, when fed, should be 98 to 100 

 Fahr. In cold weather there is danger that the milk, 

 while being used, will fall below the proper tempera- 

 ture. To obviate this, wrap thick, hot, woollen cloths 

 around the bottle. About one -fourth to one -third of 

 a pint of the modified milk may be given every two 

 hours, gradually reducing it as the mother's milk 

 becomes available. 



The colostrum, or first milk after parturition, as 

 already shown, tends to move the foal's bowels, which 

 is beneficial. The modified milk, on. the other hand, 

 tends toward constipation; therefore the bottle-fed foal 

 should be given a mild physic. 



The bowels of foals which nurse their mothers may 

 be moved by administering to them two to four ounces 

 of unboiled linseed oil or the same quantity of castor 

 oil, or by an injection of water at a temperature of 

 100 F. ; or administer to the dam one pint of either 

 of the above-named oils. The feeding of succulent 

 foods tends to hasten the flow of milk after parturition; 



