66 



MANUAL OF FABM ANIMALS 



just before and for a short time after foaling. If she is consti- 

 pative, bran mash may be given occasionally. By the use of 



proper foods the bowels 

 should be kept in good 

 condition and they 

 should be a little loose, 

 rather than otherwise, 

 at the time of parturi- 

 tion. While the mare 

 may be worked up to 

 the time of foaling, she 

 should be given a few 

 days rest after foaling 

 to enable her to gain her 

 strength and give the 

 foal the proper start. 

 For the first few days of 

 recuperation a hot bran 

 mash fed once a day has 

 both a cooling and a 

 laxative effect on the 

 mare, and it is very 

 beneficial. If all has 

 gone well with the mare and foal, the mare may be put to 

 work at the end of one week from -the time of parturition. 

 Some dams, especially those with their first foals, fail to supply 

 the proper amount of milk, and the young foals do not thrive. 

 In this case the mare should be provided with food which 

 stimulates the milk flow. Corn and timothy hay fed alone 

 are not good milk-producing foods. The ration suggested for 

 the pregnant mare is better, and it could be much improved if 

 a little succulent food were fed with it, such as carrots. 



When in season, good pasture grass is best. If there is an over- 

 supply of milk, or if the milk is too rich, the food may be restricted 



Fig. 33. — Black Percheron Gelding, Four 

 Years Old. Weight 2460 Pounds. Ready 

 for market. Fed by H. D. Snyder & Sons. 



