286 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Foaling time.— There are certain signs of the near ap- 

 proach of parturition that rarely fail. The udder may 

 become much distended some time before foaling, but the 

 teats seldom fill out plump to the end more than four or 

 five days before the foal is born. By many persons the 

 appearance of wax on the ends of the teats is considered 

 a certain sign. This generally appears not earlier than 

 48 hours before the foal comes. In some cases, however, 

 the teats may discharge a watery exudate for days before 

 the mare foals. About one week or 10 days before foal- 

 ing there is a marked shrinking or falling away of the 

 muscular parts at the top of the buttocks and back of the 

 hips. On the other hand, occasionally a mare may give 

 birth to a foal without any of these signs. 



When birth is normal, let both mare and foal alone, as 

 they will come through the ordeal all right. In normal 

 presentation the forefeet appear first with the bottom of 

 the hoofs down, and then the nose (Fig. 185). It may be 

 necessary that a caretaker be near at hand to render as- 

 sistance if need be, but the mare should not know of his 

 presence. The navel cord of the foal should be disin- 

 fected at once. To do this some persons use a saturated 

 solution of boracic acid, and then dust the cord with 

 boracic acid powder. 



When birth is difficult, or if there is an abnormal pres- 

 entation a veterinarian should be summoned at once, as 

 difiScult parturition is likely to prove fatal to the foal. 



Mare after foaling. — When birth is normal, the mare 

 will usually tend the foal, though it may be necessary to 

 aid him to get the first meal. When the mare has rested 

 offer her a drink of gruel made from a pound of fine oil 

 meal in half a bucket of water from which the chill has 

 been taken. The mare should be given a few days' rest, 

 though she should be exercised after the first few days, 

 particularly if she has been at moderate work up to the 

 time of foaling. This is important, as otherwise the foal 

 will not thrive. If all is well the mare may be put to 

 moderate work the- ninth day after foaling. 



