14S 



If tlie complete nataral outline of the virgin -n-omb can n^t be made 

 out, carefal examination should always be made on the right and left 

 side for the enlarged horn and its living contents. Should there still 

 be difficnlty the mare should be placed on au inclined plane, with her 

 hind parts lowest, and two assistants, standing on opposite sides of the 

 body, should raise the lower i^art of the abdomen by a sheet passed 

 beneath it. Finally the ear or stethoscope applied on the wall of the 

 abdomen in front of the stifle may detect the beating of the fcrtal heart 

 (one hundred and twenty-five per minute) and a blowing souud ithe 

 uterine sough), much less rapid and corresponding to the number of 

 the pulse of the dam. It is heard most satisfactorily after the sixth or 

 eighth month and in the absence of active rumbling of the bowels of 

 the dam. 



DrEATIO>' OF rEEGNA>'CY. 



Glares usually go about eleven months with young, though first preg- 

 nancies often last a year. Foals have lived when born at the three 

 hundredth day, so with others carried till the four hundredth day. 

 "With the longer pregnancies there is a greater probabiliiy of male off- 

 spring. 



HYGIEXE OF THE PEEGX'A>'T 3IAEE. 



The pregnant mare should not be exposed to teasing by a young and 

 ardent stallion, nor should she be overworked or fatigued, particularly 

 under the saddle or on uneven ground. Yet exercise is beneficial to 

 both mother and offspring, and in the absence of moderate work the 

 breeding mare should be kept in a lot where she can take exercise at 

 will. 



The food should be liberal, but not fattening, oats, bran, sound hay, 

 and other foods rich in the principles which form flesh and bone being 

 especially indicated. All aliments that tend to indigestion are to be 

 especially avoided. Thus rank, aqueous, rapidly grown grass and other 

 green food, partially ripe rye grass, millet, Hungarian grass, vetches, 

 pease, beans, or maize are objectionable, as is over-ripe fibrous, innu- 

 tritions hay, or that which has been injured and rendered musty by 

 wet, or that which is infested with smut or ergot. Food that tends to cos- 

 tiveness should be avoided. Water given often, and at a temperature 

 considerably above freezing, -will avoid the dangers of indigestions and 

 abortions which result from taking too much ice-cold water at one time. 

 Very cold or frozen food is objectionable in the same sense. Severe 

 surgical operations and medicines that act violently on the womb, bow- 

 els, or kidneys are to be avoided as being liable to cause abortion. Con- 

 stipation should be corrected, if possible, by bran mashes, carrots, or 

 beets, seconded by excercise, and if a medicinal laxative is required it 

 should be olive oil or other equally bland agent. 



The stall of the pregnant mare should not be too narrow so as to 

 cramp her ^vhen lying down, or to entail violent efforts in getting up. 



