FOR THE FARMER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 249, 18 September 1940, Page 12

FOR THE FARMER.

TIIE MARE AND HER FOAL.

(Written for the “Manawatu Standard.”)

The brood mare should receive careful attention as the time of foaling draws near. While she should not be subjected to shaftwork in the dray or poie-work of the wagon it, is advisable she continue to work in the chains until the iminediato symptoms of foaling aro observed. By this procedure tho mare is being kept under alriiost natural conditions and complications—which frequently accompany parturition when the animal is pampered —will be avoided. The immediate symptoms of parturition are rnadly observed by experienced horsemen These are great loosening of tho ligatures on each side of tho root of the tail, and the appearance of a waxy-like matter projecting from the point of the teats. A 6 it. is impossible to predict a mare’s foaling within several hours she should, if housed, be put into a roomy loose-box, preferably one to which she has for some time previously been accustompd. Tho loose-box should bo kept scrupulously clean, bedded with short, clean straw, and the walls and tho floor should some time beforehand he washed with a strong disinfectant. Too many farmers neglect such precautions and allow their marcs to foal in any shed at all, where tho risk of contamination and subsequent death of either mare or foal, and perhaps both, is very great. While closely watched, the mare should not be unduly and frequently ’ disturbed. It is rarely that a mare requires assistance. In fact, she will cat with heartiness until the pains of labour seize her, when she suddenly lies down, foals easily, quickly, forcibly, requiring no assistance, starts to her feet almost immediately after parturition, takes up with, though licks but little at, her foal, and soon begins to eat. In New Zealand most farm mares foal on the pastures which it quite the best and most natural place. This should, however, be clean, fresh, and well away from stockyards, sheepyards, and holding paddocks, all of winch are likely to harbour injurious bacteria. In a normal foaling (lie placenta is ejected shortly after the birth of the foal, but in tho event of retention of tho placenta veterinary assistance should Ire obtained immediately. On no account should .an attempt to remove it be undertaken by any otlicr than a qualified veterinary surgeon. It may not generally be realised that while tho cow may retain the placenta for several days without serious impairment of health the same does not apply to the equine race. Roten* lion of the placenta twelve hours after parturition is likely to bo followed by acute septicaemia and probable death of the mare. .Good management prior to, and at the time of foaling, will obviate any serious complications and tho fact of her having a foal should interfere but slightly with her taking part some weeks later in the general team work of the farm.

SOME AILMENTS OF THE FOAL.

However healthy the mare may be tin* first two or three weeks after birth are the most critical period in the life of the foal. At this lender age, when least capable of offering resistance, he is liable to be overtaken with accident or disease As regards disease, derangement of the digestive system is the most common ait merit. As in the case of the mare, the prevalence of these affections can he largely curtailed by judicious management and foresight. Constipation is not infrequently found to exist at the time of birth, tor although no solid food has entered the mouth of the foal during utero-gestatlon, the intestines contain a yellowish-brown substance known as “meconium,” and which the foal usually discharges soon after birth. This is the solid residue of the secretions formed by the intestines and the liver, and which has accumulated in the bowels during foetal development. It is a common practice with some to anticipate constipation by administering a dose of castor oil to Lit foals soon after birth. It is not, however, a desirable course to recommend, for first as there aro cases disposed to constipation at birth, so aro tbero others in which the bowels aro too seriously relaxed to endure the further irritation entailed by a dose of oil. Constipation is not likely to occur in foals whose arc subsisting principally oil grass, but is more noticeable when tho mare has been stabled and hard fed. If the bowels aro normally active the foal will empty itself in the course of the first two hours after birth. Where this docs not take place, an enema of milkwarm water, with a little soap and glycerine dissolved in it, should be given, and repeated half an hour later. Any sign of restlessness, whisking the tail, straining without a motion, or looking towards the flank, should be promptly followed by a dose of castor oil .which will usually afford, speedy relief. Should the bowels not" respond, professional' advice should at once be sought.

Diarrhoea is one of the most common of foal ailments. Of the many and varied causes that conduce to it some have reference to the marc herself, and others are of an extraneous character. In connection with the former are the baneful effects of tho uterine discharges when permitted to foul the udder. There can be no doubt, too, that under certain conditions the milk of the dam is liable to acquire propertie« which irritate and inflame the delicate membranes which line the alimentary canal. This is specially noticeable in sudden and complete changes from one description of food to another, in use of unwholesome food and dirty water, and also where excessive work is imposed upon the dam, a» sociated as it usually is with excitement and long absence from the foal. Hie.milk of .the dam when “in use” also relaxes the bowels, and frequently induces diarrhoea. The fact should not be overlooked that a short supply of milk from the dam, or milk of an inferior character, may drive the foal to eat manger food to excess before its stomach is capable of digesting it. Many outbreaks may bo traced to- this cause, especially in the offspring of old marcs, which have been put to breeding late in life. Indigestion in the mare is not infrequently the precursor of this disease in the foal. Foals confined in close, Bluffy loose-boxes are specially liable to diarrhoea under the influence of slight inducing causes. To identify and remove tho cause is in this, as in all other diseases, of the first importance. When the mare is absent from the foal, taking part in farm operations, the latter should Ire kept in a roomy loose-box, well ventilated and lighted. Food and water will naturally claim attention, with the object o£ removing anything that may seem objectionable. In the early period of the attack, while the boive.s are still free from inflammn-

tory action, a dose of castor oil may be of service by causing the removal of any objectionable matter they may contain. A mixture of bi-carbonate of potash, precipitated chalk, aromatic spirit of ammonia, and oil of peppermint, given every three or four hours, is a useful corrective. When the foal gives evidence of pain a little tincture ot opium may be added to the prescription. A teaspoonful of bicarbonate of potash given to the mare night and morning, or oftoncr, and a few iceds of barley (steamed) while the foal continues sick, arc useful adjuncts to treatment. It should, however, be remembered that, while it is most desirable to have means of relief available for the moment, it is equally important that no time be lost in seeking professional help. Changes in these sickly foals are frequently rapid and severe, and all the skill and loresight of the expert is sometimes required to guard against fatal complications. If the foal refuses the teat, the maro should be milked out from time to time, so that when the appetite returns the secretion may bo fresh and wholesome.