MANAGEMENT OF THE BROOD MARE 
59 
perineum and the virtual destruction of the value of the mare. In an¬ 
other case a fetus presents almost normally, but the nose or a foot be¬ 
comes impacted against or caught upon the pelvic girdle. If the owner 
intelligently releases the part and gives it proper direction, the foal is 
born alive without further difficulty, but if it is allowed to go without 
this slight aid until a veterinarian arrives the deviation of the part has 
become magnified, the life of the foal has been sacrificed, and that of the 
mare more or less seriously endangered. 
“In the mare the duration of labor is usually but a few minutes. 
“When a fetus presents posteriorly . . . it is essential to hasten its 
expulsion as soon as the body has advanced far enough into the canal 
that the umbilic cord is engaged, and •compressed between the fetal body 
and the pubic brim of the mother. In managing such a case, the advance¬ 
ment of the fetus should be very deliberate until the buttocks of the 
young animal have appeared at the vulva and have passed through it, 
thus dilating normally the entire length of the passage. Then, when the 
critical moment has arrived, the fetus should be promptly and carefully 
withdrawn in order that it may not be suffocated. 
“When the fetal fluids are fetid, there is no longer reason for doubt 
that the fetus is dead, though admittedly the line of demarcation between 
a non-fetid and a fetid state of the fetal fluids is not always easily drawn. 
Any active movements of the fetus establish clearly that it is living. 
“When the fetus presents anteriorly, with the head protruded through 
the vulva, and remains incarcerated for some time, the head becomes 
engorged and swollen; the tongue swollen, blue-black and protruding from 
the mouth; and the eyes glossy and insensible. However, the conclusion 
is not to be hastily drawn that it is dead; on the other hand, it may he 
very much alive, revive immediately, and begin to move as soon as it is 
released from its perilous position. In fact such engorgement of the 
head and cyanosis of the visible mucosa show that the fetus was alive 
when the head appeared. Had it been dead at the beginning of labor, the 
engorgement could not have occurred . . . however, it may generally 
be considered that, if vigorous expulsive efforts have continued for two 
or three hours, or if the fetus has been engaged in the pelvis even half 
an hour, unless definite sign of life can be observed, the foal has already 
perished. 
“In case where a living fetus is expelled more or less enclosed in the 
amnion in such a way as to interfere with respiration, the attendant 
should remove the obstruction promptly.” 
Johnstone 6 advises that as soon as wax forms on the teats of the mare, 
she should be closely watched. But the mare dislikes the presence of 
persons during parturition so it is recommended that a peep-hole be pro¬ 
vided through which the groom could see the mare, without the latter 
seeing the attendant. Normal presentation is manifested by the appear¬ 
ance, first by the forefeet and then the nose. Should the presentation 
deviate from this send for a veterinarian immediately. Likewise in case 
the mare is unable to deliver after a reasonable length of time, it is also 
advisable to get the aid of the obstetrist. Otherwise, normal delivery 
should be left alone. 
In describing natural presentation and its management Carlson 6 says 
that “after two or three pains the water bags appear and usually burst, 
followed by the forefeet of the foal, with the nose between the knees. 
With such a presentation one can help the mare very much by taking a 
foot in either hand and pulling as she labors. If your labor is in concert 
with hers, you can do no harm by pulling with all your might. By this 
help one can relieve a mare of her foal quickly, thereby saving her much 
wasted energy. At such times one should work with clean hands to 
avoid infection. 
“When there is a twin birth the second foal usually comes with its 
