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337 
rence, and this does not happen from any disease or infec 
tion, as many have erroneously supposed, but from sympathy. 
But how this circumstance has such an effect upon the 
imagination—if I may be allowed the expression—it is not 
easy to explain ; yet it has too frequently happened to admit 
of a doubt. It is therefore evident that as soon as such a 
circumstance occurs, other mares that may be in the same 
field should be removed to another pasture. 
If mares are in good health while in foal, there is little 
danger of any mischance during parturition ; but should 
any such occur, either as regards a difficulty in parting with 
the foal or a wrong presentation, recourse must instantly 
be had to a regular experienced veterinary surgeon, who, 
from practice, is most likely to afford the necessary relief, 
and will save the suffering animal pain, and frequently save 
her life. Many fine mares have been lost, or rendered 
useless, by unskilful persons attempting to afford relief. 
It would be absurd in a limited treatise to attempt 
laying down rules for enabling persons to perform those 
duties successfully, which can only be acquired by a length¬ 
ened course of study ; and which, consequently, would far 
exceed our limits. Mares generally come in heat about a 
month or six weeks after foaling. 
Whenever parturition has been accomplished, the mare 
with her foal should be turned out into a pasture, which 
ought always to have a shed to retire to for shelter. If this 
happens to be early in the spring, that is, in April, before 
the grass has become sufficiently plentiful, then the mare 
should be supplied with one or two feeds of oats daily; 
otherwise she will be unable to supply the foal with a 
sufficiency of milk, a lack of which is sure to lay the 
foundation of weakness, and in all probability arrest bis 
growth, as this is the most important time in the life of a 
