Foaling time. There are certain signs of the near approach of parturition that rarely fail. The udder may become much distended some time before foaling, but the teats seldom fill out plump to the end more than four or five days before the foal is born. By many persons the appearance of wax on the ends of the teats is considered a certain sign. This generally appears not earlier than 48 hours before the foal comes. In some cases, however, the teats may discharge a watery exudate for days before the mare foals. About one week or 10 days before foaling there is a marked shrinking or falling away of the muscular parts at the top of the buttocks and back of the hips. On the other hand, occasionally a mare may give birth to a foal without any of these signs.

When birth is normal, let both mare and foal alone, as they will come through the ordeal all right. In normal presentation the forefeet appear first with the bottom of the hoofs down, and then the nose (Fig. 185). It may be necessary that a caretaker be near at hand to render assistance if need be, but the mare should not know of his presence. The navel cord of the foal should be disinfected at once. To do this some persons use a saturated solution of boracic acid, and then dust the cord with boracic acid powder.

When birth is difficult, or if there is an abnormal presentation a veterinarian should be summoned at once, as difficult parturition is likely to prove fatal to the foal.

Mare after foaling.-When birth is normal, the mare will usually tend the foal, though it may be necessary to aid him to get the first meal. When the mare has rested offer her a drink of gruel made from a pound of fine oil meal in half a bucket of water from which the chill has been taken. The mare should be given a few days' rest, though she should be exercised after the first few days, particularly if she has been at moderate work up to the time of foaling. This is important, as otherwise the foal will not thrive. If all is well the mare may be put to moderate work the ninth day after foaling.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE FOAL

It is important that the young foal get the first milk from the dam. The first milk, often called colostrum, looks thick and yellow, and differs materially in composition from the subsequent milk. It is a natural purgative for the removal of the material that has accumulated in the foal's digestive tract during the last few days of his development. The prompt removal of this material is essential to the life of the foal. Thus, if the youngster is unable to stand and nurse, he should be aided to find the teat and to obtain his first meal.

The foal that makes his appearance normally, and is able to stand and nurse, needs but to be let alone as long as mare and foal are both doing well. The young foal will be better for it. By regulating the food and the exercise of the mare, the foal may be kept thriving and in the pink of condition without any special attention.

Ailments of the young foal.-There is a high death rate among foals, due largely to lack of understanding on the part of the caretaker. It sometimes happens that the new-born foal cannot breathe because of the membranes surrounding the head. In such cases the membrane should be broken with the hand. Occasionally a new-born foal does not establish the function of respiration. In such cases the body should be rubbed briskly. Soon after birth many foals are troubled with digestive disorders, that must be remedied at once or they will prove fatal. Again, they are sometimes troubled with an infectious navel disease which usually proves fatal to the young foal. Practically all of these troubles can be avoided if proper precautions are taken.

Constipation. During the last few days of fetal de

velopment there collects in the digestive tract of the foal a yellowish, rather hard, waxy substance called meconium. This fecal matter must be passed soon after birth or it will prove fatal to the new-born foal. If the digestive tract has not been cleaned of this material within 12 hours, and the youngster presents a droopy, listless appearance, such as eyes not bright, ears lopped over and the like, something must be done to stimulate the

action of the bowels. This usually can be done by giving internally two ounces of olive oil or castor oil, and by an injection of warm water into the bowels. The oil must be given carefully to avoid strangling the foal. The water used in the injection should be at blood heat and have added to it a little glycerine. Inject gently into the rectum with a common two-ounce hard rubber syringe, taking care not to rupture the tender membrane. This

will lubricate the passage and stimulate the bowels to action. The injection may be repeated each hour until the matter is passed, which should be within five hours from the time of giving the oil.

Diarrhea. Young foals are often troubled with diarrhea or scours, which often proves fatal soon after birth. There are a number of causes of this disease, perhaps the chief one being changes of an unknown character in the composition of the mare's milk, due to poor health, lack of exercise, or to the mare becoming fretful when kept away from the foal for a time soon after foaling. The foal feeding on this changed milk induces indigestion and diarrhea. Some mares give a very large flow of milk, particularly when fed rich and stimulating food, and if the foal is permitted to take it all, digestive disorders and diarrhea are likely to result. The same often happens in early spring when the mare is pasturing on a rank growth of succulent grass. Other causes are the non-removal of the fecal matter, mare and foal confined in unclean stables, and the like.

The treatment is the avoidance of conditions likely to cause such disorders. If the dam is properly housed, fed and exercised there is very little danger. At the first appearance of such trouble, we should attend the foal and remove the cause, for even then it may be too late. If it is due to an oversupply of milk, the dam should be milked in part by hand. Never give an astringent with a view of cutting off the discharge, as the trouble is probably caused by an irritant in the stomach or bowels which must be removed before a cure can be effected. The best plan in all such cases is to expel the disturber with a laxative, such as two ounces of olive or castor oil, and later when the irritant has been removed to check the discharge.

Navel infection.-Young foals are very commonly troubled with navel infection or joint ill, which is a very fatal disease, particularly after the joints become af

fected. This disease is due to filth germs that gain access to the body of the foal by way of the open umbilical vein of the navel at birth. Soon after these germs enter the navel, they set up irritation and inflammation. The navel becomes enlarged, pus forms and is absorbed into the circulation. Abscesses form in all parts of the body, notably in the joints of the limbs, and at the throat and poll.

As with digestive disorders, the treatment is the avoidance of conditions likely to produce the disease. It should be understood that simple hygienic measures will prevent all such diseases. The box stall in which the

mare foals should be scrupulously clean, well lighted and well ventilated. It should be well bedded with clean, fresh material, for which straw or shavings is best. To make the stall sweeter a little lime should be scattered about the floor before the bedding is put down.

FEEDING THE YOUNG FOAL

If the dam's milk is insufficient to promote a healthy, vigorous growth in the foal, additional food should be provided. For this purpose cow's milk is best, and the