MARES WITH FOAL. 69 



some of them may have got lousy, infested with parasites 

 that will attack, though rarely, the well fed, well cared-for 

 animal. Those that are found in this situation, are placed 

 by themselves. Many object to the use of mercurial oint- 

 ment ; I have never found any danger in its use or any- 

 thing so effectual to remove them. Eub it along the roots 

 of the mane, and down the back, being careful you do not 

 put it, where in biting themselves, they would be likely 

 to get it. Keep them dry and warm, and a very few days 

 will be sufficient to rid them from these pests, that would 

 soon reduce them to a skeleton if not attended to. 



The twenty-five mares twenty of them being again 

 with foal require much the same treatment as the colts, 

 though it is advisable that they should not acquire too much 

 fat. Each one has a box stall for herself, with nothing but 

 a manger and feeding box, and this placed so there will 

 be no danger of the mare injuring herself when rolling. 

 The water is also conducted through the yards, so that 

 all may drink at their pleasure. Their feed is the clover 

 and timothy hay, with corn fodder to increase the secre- 

 tion of milk when they have -foaled. Bran mashes we 

 would not give, but plenty of carrots and occasional feeds 

 of wheat, which I have known the use of to prevent mares 

 from slipping their foals that had always done so before 

 they were thus fed. They should have their feed with 

 the same regularity as the colts, the amount of grain 

 regulated by their condition. Some will need nearly 

 double as much as others, but in no case should enough 

 be given .them to accumulate much inside fat, which will 

 surely be detrimental to the foal. We have noted exactly 

 the time of being served ; but as there is a wide differ- 

 ence in the period of gestation of not only different ani- 

 mals, but of the same in different years, it is only a partial 

 guide, and there is no rule known any way near infallible. 

 Some mares will secrete a great deal of the lactic fluid, 



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