60 
PURE BRED DRAFT HORSES 
hind feet first. If the tail is turned upward toward the tail of the mare, 
this presentation will be expelled as easily as an anterior one, since the 
curvature of the body corresponds to the curvature of the genital passages 
of the mare. In an anterior presentation the fa-ce and ears of the foals 
should always be turned upwards for a like reason.” Carlson mentions 
several causes of delayed presentation, among which are mal-presenta- 
tion and such others as are due to small narrow pelvis, which may 
result from fracture ,to tumors in the vagina or in the pelvis, to cal¬ 
culus in the bladder, or to impaction of the rectum with feces. It is 
also pointed out that delayed parturition may result from inflammation 
in which case the fetus and its membranes are firmly attached to the 
uterus. When found to be so, however, the adhesions should be torn 
and then the foal extracted. 
Kennedy 01 describes the normal presentation as well as abnormal forms, 
for which he suggests corresponding aids that might be given whenever 
necessary. As has been referred to the normal presentation is indicated 
by the forefeet first, with the head between the fore limbs. In this form 
the anterior portion acts in the manner of a wedge and serves to dilate 
the passage. The foal may be born with hind feet first. The deviation 
from normal delivery may assume the position in which the front feet 
are held back. Kennedy recommends that the fetus be pushed back and 
the limbs straightened out, should this abnormality present; however, in 
case the mare is roomy and open delivery may succeed normally even 
with the legs held up this way. Or it may occur that instead of the feet 
coming first the rump may instead be protruded. It is claimed that the 
colt could hardly be delivered in this way so again the body may be 
pushed back and the parts rearranged so as to assume the normal posi¬ 
tion. Another abnormality may occur in which one of the legs, of either 
the front or rear presentation, is held back. This needs similar course 
of treatment by which the crooked leg may be brought to normal position, 
although in this case it may at times be possible to deliver the fetus even 
with one leg held back. If aid is to be given to the mare, Kennedy sug¬ 
gests that it be done as soon as it is known that there is abnormal par¬ 
turition, or as soon after the examination reveals that some assistance is 
needed. If assistance is delayed the mare will be found weakened and 
the fetus and other parts dry. If the fetus is to be pulled do it gently 
and steadily downwards. The fetus may sometimes have to be dissected 
to save the mare. Care should be taken so that inflammation is lessened 
or else it may lead to blood poisoning.” 
15. The Care of the Puerperal Mare 
Williams 18 discusses this phase of the brood mare’s life and says: 
“After the completion of labor, the mother should not be annoyed by the 
presence of other animals of her own or other species, or by the unneces¬ 
sary presence of persons. She should have clean and comfortable quar¬ 
ters, whether in the stable or in the field, and her body should be kept 
as clean as circumstances permit. Any blood or discharges should be 
washed off her tail anl thighs or other parts of her body which have be¬ 
come soiled. The afterbirth, if it has come away, should be removed 
and destroyed, although as a general rule, no material harm comes to 
the mother from eating it. 
“An abundance of good drinking water and suitable food should be 
allowed. For herbivorous animals which have given birth to young dur¬ 
ing the warm season of the year, grass constitutes the most favorable 
diet. Mares which are used for work purposes should be rested for a few 
days after parturition, as a safeguard against disease. As a general rule 
the mare may safely return to work in the -course of three or four days, 
if parturition has been easy and without accident, but the labor must 
be of a gentle character. 
