288 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



velopment there collects in the digestive tract of the foal 

 a yellowish, rather hard, waxy substance called meco- 

 nium. This fecal matter must be passed soon after birth 

 or it will prove fatal to the new-born foal. If the diges- 

 tive tract has not been cleaned of this material within 

 12 hours, and the youngster presents a droopy, listless 

 appearance, such as eyes not bright, ears lopped over 

 and the like, something must be done to stimulate the 



FIG. 137.— ARABIAN MARE AND FOAL 



action of the bowels. This usually can be done by giving 

 internally two ounces of olive oil or castor oil, and by an 

 injection of warm water into the bowels. The oil must 

 be given carefully to avoid strangling the foal. The 

 water used in the injection should be at blood heat and 

 have added to it a little glycerine. Inject gently into the 

 rectum with a common two-ounce hard rubber syringe, 

 taking care not to rupture the tender membrane. This 



