CHAPTER XXVIII 

 THE FOAL 



It is important that the young foal get the first milk 

 from the dam. The first milk, often called colostrum, 

 looks thick and yellow, and differs materially in composi- 

 tion from the subsequent milk. It is a natural purgative 

 for the removal of the material that has accumulated in 

 the foal's digestive tract during the last few days of his 

 development. The prompt removal of this material is 

 essential to the life of the foal. Thus, if the youngster 

 is unable to stand and nurse, he should be aided to find 

 the teat and to obtain his first meal. 



The foal that makes his appearance normally, and is 

 able to stand and nurse, needs but to be let alone as long 

 as mare and foal are both doing well. The young foal will 

 be better for it. By regulating the food and the exercise 

 of the mare, the foal may be kept thriving and in the pink 

 of condition without any special attention. 



Ailments of the young foal. — There is a high death 

 rate among foals, due largely to lack of understanding 

 on the part of the caretaker. It sometimes happens that 

 the new-born foal cannot breathe because of the mem- 

 branes surrounding the head. In such cases the mern- 

 brane should be broken with the hand. Occasionally a 

 new-born foal does not establish the function of respira- 

 tion. In such cases the body should be rubbed briskly. 

 Soon after birth many foals are troubled with digestive 

 disorders, that must be remedied at once or they will 

 prove fatal. Again, they are sometimes troubled with an 

 infectious navel disease which usually proves fatal to the 

 young foal. Practically all of these troubles can be 

 avoided if proper precautions are taken. 



Constipation. — During the last few days of fetal de- 



