46 
PURE BRED DRAFT HORSES 
the opening to the uterus be closed Carlson 6 indicates the insertion of 
one finger as sufficient, for the mistake of opening it with two or more 
fingers may lead to too wide an opening, which is said to cause difficulties 
among breeders. The matter of objecting to mares found with lacerated 
cervix or with cervix of wide opening is brought out. Carroll and Fred¬ 
erick 86 suggest the use of a speculum in examining the os uteri. 
As to the means of collecting the semen Carroll and Frederick 86 write: 
“When all the mares have been examined, their external organs steril¬ 
ized, the utensils prepared . . . the stallion is led out and allowed 
to cover some quiet mares in heat which the examination has shown to be 
perfectly normal and clean in every way. As the stallion mounts, the 
operator should approach the rear of the mare with the bowl and ex¬ 
tractor both filled with the 100° water. His arm should be previously 
greased with the powdered slipper-elm bark or vaseline. As the stallion 
begins to dismount empty the water from the bowl and catch any semen 
which may follow the penis out. As soon as this is done or if none 
comes out give the bowl to an assistant, immediately empty the ex¬ 
tractor of water, grasp its end between the thumb and first two fingers, 
and gradually insert hand and all into the vagina, always keeping the 
point of the extractor thus protected. 
“If the semen has been discharged into the vagina the hand as it 
enters will detect this, and it can be taken up by pulling out the piston 
of the extractor. If no semen is encountered in the vagina it has been 
discharged into the uterus. To collect it from here carefully insert the 
point of the extractor (always preceded by the end of the forefinger) 
into the uterus. When in the length of the finger, bend the flexible end 
of the extractor downward by pressure from the forefinger above support¬ 
ed by the thumb underneath. 
“Firm yet gentle pressure downward will cause a pocket to form in 
the floor of the uterus into which the semen will naturally flow. With 
the end still protected by the finger tip to prevent drawing in any of 
the delicate membrane lining the uterus, fill the extractor by gently pull¬ 
ing out the piston. When the instrument is filled straighten its point, 
draw it from the mare, take it at once to the operating room, and have 
the assistant immerse it in the water at 100° F. His finger should be 
kept over the end to protect the semen from water or air.” 
It is indicated that the work should be carried in a place free from dust, 
particularly if the semen is exposed. Also, the semen should be kept 
in a dark place and not exposed to direct rays of sunlight. 
Where a bulb is used to collect the semen, Riley 83 advises, that in case 
a large quantity of semen has been collected, the bulb may be un¬ 
screwed, corked and then placed in water heated to a temperature of 
95° to 100° F. 
As pointed out by Riley, 83 the extractor filled with semen may im¬ 
mediately be applied to the mares awaiting insemination, if there are 
only one or two of them. Otherwise, the use of the capsule is to be 
resorted to. But with only one or two mares to be bred, besides the 
one served by the stallion, the capsule may of course be used also in¬ 
stead of the extractor. Acocrding to Carlson, 6 the capsule without its cap 
is introduced into the vagina with the hand from which the semen is 
scooped out, holding the fluid by means of the forefinger. This is then 
inserted into the uterus. But Riley 83 remarks that such a practice is 
possible only when semen is to be found on the floor of the vagina. 
Where a number of mares are to be bred, the semen in the extractor 
or bulb kept in a heated water is poured in capsules which are one by 
one introduced into the line of mares awaiting operation. According to 
Carlson, 6 the cap of the capsule is removed and this is then filled about 
half full of semen by an assistant who holds the extractor in water. The 
capsule is then capped, and holding it by the left hand it is immediately 
