The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-06-20
CARE OF THE F0AL
BY +. C..
State College.

WUeH Sne mas ldu the proper care lOT
some time before she is to drop the
'oal; in fact, she is to be intelligently
managed during the whole period Of
CESSATION.
When the mare is served, both she
and the stallion should be in good
condition. that is, not too fat, but not
at all poor. From this time on she
should have plenty of exercise. but by
all mea should not be over-worked.
The mare that is doing regular work
stronger colt than viii the mare that
is running in the pasture or yard.
In the selection Of mares for breed
ing. those having unsoundnesses re-
sulting from weakness should not be
used, for their offspring are liable to
inherit the same weakness. If none
but sound mares were bred, there
would be fewer unsound horses today.
Again the indisposition of the a
should be considered. A balky
will generally have a colt that is
mean in some way. He may never
balk if properly trained, but there are
other troubles that are liable to APP
pear.
After the mare is in foal, more care
in some cases is required in feeding
her. She should have only the best
CT feed: iced that will tend to build
up bone and muscle rather than fat.
Oats, bran and timothy or mixed hay
constitute a good ration. The hay
should be free from dust. Water
should be plentifully supplied. except
just after the birth OF the foal. Then
a pail of luke-warm water is all that
she should have for the first two or
three hours. Later she should have
more of the same. The feed after the
colt has been dropped should be light
er and of a more laxative character.
The stall in which the mare is to
have the colt is a matter which is too
often ignored. Many men think that
any place is good enough Manure is
allowed to accumulate. and as a result
the colt is liable to become infected
with navel disease. Those who are
considered authorities Oh this subject
claim that a the stall should be thor
oughly ~disinfected after it has been
cleaned. Not only is it necessary that
the floor should be cleaned, but the
walls OF the stall also. Bedding of
some sort is absolutely essential. Saw
dust is the best. As we'll as clean, the
stall must be well lighted and venti-
lated, but free from draughts. The
warmer it is the better. for it is not
often that the colt comes into a warm
er world than he has left.
As the time of ~foaling approaches,
the mare should have less heavy
work, and for the last few days should
be confined to the box stall where she
is to have the colt. About three days
before birth wax will ppear on the
ends of the teats, and the muscles OF
the hips will fall away. From this
time on she should be carefully
watched.
If the presentation is normal, the
attendant need have little concern.
Normal presentation is either the head
and front feet first. or the hind feet
first. Any other will make trouble.
Abnormal presentations are Of sew
eral kinds; one foot alone with the
head. or only the head. or the feet with
the head bent back to one side. All
-four feet may appear. The back IS
sometimes turned toward the opening.
In any case the foal must be pushed
back and Strengthened. 1t may be nee
essary to fasten a soft rope around the
feet as they are Strengthened, which
will insure the keeping OF all ground
gained. A mar should thoroughly un-
derstand his business before he at
tempts to do much assisting of the
mare. for it is an easy matter to 81
injure either the mare Or colt that
much trouble will result.
As soon as the colt comes the after
birth should come away naturally. In
case it does not a competent veterina-
rian should be called.
The first and allimportant thing to
do With the foal after birth is to see to
tho navel. It should break naturally
rather than be cut. If necessary to tie
it 10 stop bleeding the string should be
dislnfected. Then the navel itself
should be disinfected. A pint of hot
water in Which has been dissolved two
drains ~ corrosive sublimate is the
best for this purpose. If the liquid is
put III a wide mouthed bottle. the
navel may then be immersed in the
disinfectant. This should be done
twice a day until the navel has dried
and the parts are healed.
The healthy. strong colt will be up
and ready to suck in an hour. If he
succeeds. no further care need be TAX
en- unless the mare is short of milk.
But before the colt is allowed to suck.
the udder and hind parts of the mare
should be carefully disinfected. This
will prevent the colt from getting poi
soned from dirt, which is the ommon
source of scours. In cas- the colt is
too weak to suck, he should be held up
each time until he is strong enough
to stand alone. Generally the first
milk of the horse will act as a Taxa
tive which will start the bowels Of the