4IO Veterinary Obstetrics 



not slope very greatly, either backward or forward. The same 

 rule applies also to the non-pregnant animal, although pregnancy 

 intensifies the backward pressure of the abdominal viscera, in 

 case the stall slopes very greatly, and may thus thus tend to cause 

 prolapse of the vagina. 



When the time for parturition draws near, it is generally ad- 

 visable that cows and mares which have been kept in single stalls- 

 or stanchions should be removed from these and given .some de- 

 gree of liberty of movement at the time of labor. Mo.st writers 

 advise that the mare should be given a roomy box-stall, under 

 the belief that she can better foal in such a place. This may be 

 generally true, although accidents have occurred because of the 

 very fact that the animal was loose in a box- .stall. In such a 

 stall the mare sometimes lies down with her buttocks immedi- 

 ately against the side wall and there is not room for the expul- 

 sion of the foal. Instead, the foal is jammed against the side of 

 the stall, its expulsion delayed and its life endangered. In other 

 ca.ses the mare turns somewhat violently and the head of the pro- 

 truding fetus is seriously injured by being pressed against the 

 wall. The box-stall in which a mare is to foal should, therefore, 

 be ample in size and give every possible opportunity for labor to 

 progress without danger of accident from contact with the side 

 walls. Some breeders arrange a .special stall for foaling mares. 

 A false wall is added, beginning at the base, three or four feet 

 inwards from the main wall, and sloping upward and outward at 

 an angle of 45°, joining the main wall at the height of three or 

 four feet. This slanting wall prevents the foaling mare from be- 

 coming cast and the protruding foal from being jammed against 

 the walls. 



Later, when considering the question of abortion, we shall deal 

 with the handling of animals which have aborted or threaten to 

 abort in a stable or herd of other pregnant females. 



The pregnant animal, like any other, should be allowed to lead 

 a tranquil existence, free from cruel handling and from great 

 fear. If pregnant animals, especially in the advanced stages, are 

 chased by other animals, such as ewes being annoyed by dogs, it 

 is naturally prejudicial to the life of the fetus. It has been sug- 

 gested by some that pregnant animals of different species should 

 not be allowed in the same field or pasture, but this is only par- 

 tially correct and depends rather upon the character of the indi- 



