CHAPTER IX. 
FOALING (PARTURITION) AND THE DISEASES 
FOLLOWING IT. 
THE mare usually carries her foal eleven months. The 
time, however, varies considerably in many cases. 
Some go a few days less than this time and others 
have been known to carry the foal as long as twelve 
months. 
The covering or sack that envelops the foal is known 
variously as the placenta, the cleaning, or the after birth. 
This sack is attached to the inner side of the womb by means 
of little processes called villi. 
The navel string or umbelical cord attaches the foal to 
the placenta. Through this cord nourishment to the foetus 
is supplied during the time it is in the mother's womb. 
Between the foal and the after-birth is a fluid (the use 
of which is to protect the foal from being injured while its 
mother is moving about). This is called the amoniotic fluid. 
I. — Foaling ( Parturition ) . 
Parturition is the act of bringing forth or being delivered 
of the fully developed foal, and as before stated usually takes 
place at the end of the eleventh month after being served by 
the male. 
1, How to Tell When a Mare Is V/ith Foal. 
The mare becomes much quieter in disposition and 
thrives better. The belly gradually becomes distended. At 
or about the end of the sixth or seventh month the movement 
of the foal may be felt. This is more likely to be the case 
after the mother has taken a drink of cold water, and because 
of the foal lying a little to the left side it is more likely to 
be felt on this than on the right side. 
The neck of the womb of a pregnant mare is sealed 
tight. This may be ascertained by passing the hand well 
oiled into the passage. While making an examination in this 
way it is often possible to feel the movement of the foal. 
This, of course, is the surest method. 
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