MANAGEMENT OF THE BROOD MARE 
57 
tained from observations on 171 other mares. It was found from these 
that the period fluctuates from 314 to 364 days or an average of 335 days 
—317 to 364 days, or 336 days average, for males, and 314 to 361, or 335 
days average, for females. Harper asserts that although the male foals 
bear gestation figures a little longer than those of females yet this is 
not always true. It is claimed that in some years the variation is re¬ 
versed. From the above figures the gestation period may be inferred 
to be approaching 11 months or slightly short of 340 days. 
13. Signs of Parturition 
To get a full detailed understanding of the signs of parturition Will¬ 
iams’s 48 account on the subject is set forth: “Preliminary to the comple¬ 
tion of pregnancy there appear certain signs which indicate, with more 
or less certainty, the near approach of labor. 
“One of the most conspicious of these is the increased functional 
activity of the milk glands. In all domestic animals there is a tendency 
for the glands to become gradually enlarged and tense as the period for 
giving birth to young approaches. The date at which this enlargement 
appears varies: It occurs earlier in primiparae than in those which have 
previously given birth to young. Usually a few weeks before birth there 
appears in the udder at first a water secretion, which may be passed 
from the teat, but which bears only a faint resemblance to milk. Later 
the secretion becomes more milk-like and assumes the characters of colos¬ 
trum. When parturition is near, the milk secretion may be so profuse, 
especially in the mare, that it escapes from the teats in drops or in 
streams. This sign may, however, be very miselading. Sometimes, on 
the other hand, almost no milk is secreted prior to parturition and the 
glands are only slightly enlarged. Such is especially the case in very 
old mares which have been bred for the first time. 
“Another symptom of approaching birth, which is important, is the 
preparation which is taking place in the vagina and the vulva. The 
vulvar lips become somewhat thickened and edematous and tend to stand 
apart more loosely than ordinarily. From the vulva there generally ap¬ 
pears, a more or less abundant discharge of a thick, lubricant mucus. 
Part of the mucus emanates from the glands in the vaginal mucosa, part 
from the voluminous uterine seal, and part apparently from the exalted 
secretion of the mucous glands in the cervix. If the lips of the vulva are 
parted, there is observed an injection of the mucosa. 
“As the time for birth draws near, certain psychic signs are observed. 
The animal seems to be somewhat disturbed and anxious. She exhibits 
some desire to withdraw from her usual associates. She moves slowly 
and cautiously. There may be interruptions in feeding suggesting that 
uterine contractions are taking place . . . Sometimes the advent of 
the uterine contractions is suggested by the appearance of slight colic, ac¬ 
companied by occasional pawing or lying down. The mare may show 
evidence of pain by whisking the tail. Finally the pregnant animal, if at 
liberty, tends to withdraw from other animals of her own or other 
species and seeks a quiet and secluded place, where she may bring forth 
her young without disturbance or annoyance.” 
According to Carlson, 6 the approach of parturition is evinced in most 
cases “by the enlargement of the vulva, the falling in of the muscles 
about the croup (relaxation), and the filling of the udder and teats. A 
day or two before parturition the teats show a waxy substance at their 
ends, and frequently there is a flow of milk. At last the mare usually 
becomes uneasy, stops feeding, and sometimes she will be down and 
rise again for several times. In many mares this is not repeated, but 
the mare remains down.” 
Kennedy 61 advises that the mare be watched even as early as the tenth 
