151 



the mare from unnecessary and dangerous work or medication Avhen 

 actually in foal and to obviate wasteful and needless precautions when 

 she is not. 



The cessation and non-recun-ence of the sj'mptomsof heat (horsing) 

 is a most signiticant though not infallible sign of conception. If the 

 sexual e?ccitement speedih' subsides and the mare persistently refuses 

 the stallion for a month, she is probabl}' pregnant. In verj- excep- 

 tional cases a mare will accept a second or third service after weeks 

 or months, though pregnant, and some mares will refuse tlie horse 

 persistenth", though conception has not taken place, and this in spite 

 of v.arm weather, good condition of the mare, and liberal feeding. 

 The recurrence of heat in the pregnant mare is most likely to take 

 place in hot weather. If heat merely persists an undue length of 

 time after service, or if it reappears shortly after, in warm weather 

 and in a comparatively idle mare, on good feeding, it is less signifi- 

 cant, while the persistent absence of heat under such conditions may 

 be usually accepted as proof of conception. 



An unwonted gentleness and docilit}" on the part of a i)reviously 

 irritable or vicious mare, and supervening on service, is an excellent 

 indication of pregnancy, the generative instinct which caused the 

 excitement having been satisfied. 



An increase of fat, with softness and flabbiness of muscle, a loss of 

 energy, indisposition for active work, a manifestation of laziness, 

 indeed, and of fatigue early and easilj^ induced, when preceded by 

 service", will usuallj^ imply conception. 



Enlargement of the abdomen, especiall}' in its lower third, with 

 sliglit falling in beneath the loins and hollowness of the back are 

 significant symptoms, though they may be entirely absent. Swelling 

 and firmness of the udder, with the smoothing out of its wrinkles, is 

 a suggestive sign, even though it aT)pears only at intervals during 

 gestation. 



A steady increase in weight (14 i)ounds daily) about the fourth or 

 fifth month is a useful indication of i^regnancy. So is a swollen and 

 red or bluish-red appearance of the vaginal mucous membrane. 



From the seventh or eighth mouth onward the foal may be felt bj^ 

 the hand (palm or knuckles) pressed into the abdomen in front of the 

 left stifle. The sudden push displaces the foal toAvard the opposite 

 side of the womb, and as it floats back its hard body is felt to strike 

 against the hand. If the pressure is maintained the movements of 

 the live foal are felt, and especially in the morning and after a drink 

 of cold water, or during feeding. A drink of cold water will often 

 stimulate the foetus to movements that may be seen by the eye, but 

 an excess of iced water may pi-ove injurious, even to the causing of 

 abortion. Cold water da.shed on the belh^ has a similar effect on the 

 foetus and equally endangers abortion. 



Examination of the uterus with the oiled hand introduced into tlie 

 rectum is still more satisfactory, and if cautiously conducted no more 



