I have frequently been urged by farmers and breeders, to give them full instructions on this subject, and especially, at such times, when a difficult case presented itself, but I always found it impracticable, as verbal instruction would soon be forgotten, and as no work, illustrating this subject was in existence. I was induced, therefore, in order to benefit the farmer and breeder, to publish a complete treatise on the mare and foal, at the time of delivery, illustrated by engravings. I had made an effort about seven years ago, but that little instrument, the “pen,” in my hand, is what the yoke is to the ox, and so I abandoned it for that time. The cart-whip in my hand is a fine instrument, but the pen is my abhorrence. Notwithstanding, at the earnest request of numerous dealers in horses, I was induced in the Spring of 1869, to offer this work to the public, for the benefit of the farmer and breeder, and in mercy to the mare and foal.
This work, as the reader will discover, embraces every particular connected with the subject upon which it treats, with ample engravings, illustrating the different positions in which a foal is presented—its natural delivery—false presentations, etc., with lucid explanations and instructions.
CONRAD MITCHELL.
New Berlin, Pa., July, 1869.
PLATE I.
The above Engraving represents the Foal, as it is folded up in the womb of the Mare when fully developed, in the right flank of the animal, the chest of the Foal toward the tail of the Mare, the front legs turned backwards, and the hind legs turned forward under the body of the Foal, the head and neck turned back in its left side, so that the head will rest on the first false ribs. From the time of covering the Mare, to the time of foaling, generally requires a period of three hundred and thirty days. A few instances, however, came under my observation, in which fine, full-grown, and healthy colts were delivered in three hundred and twelve days, while others delayed their appearance for a period of three hundred and ninety days, before the owner could rejoice in the valuable prize brought to his stable. The full chested, round trunked mare will develope a foal much sooner than the flat-sided, lean and camel-backed one.
In nine days after the covering of the mare, the womb will begin to close about fifteen inches from the entrance; at the same time, the fecund seed of the horse will change into bloody streaks, and the balance becomes like cream on curdled milk about six hours after it is strained, and in from forty to fifty days, the foal will be regularly shaped, and about the size of a small rat. At the same time a membrane or skin will spread around the entrance inside of the womb, from which a number of small cords branch out, uniting together as they run along, until they form one cord, extending to the navel of the foal, through which the blood of the mare circulates in the foal, in order to give it nourishment. At the same time another membrane or skin is formed around the foal, in which are contained from four to six, and even eight quarts of yellowish fluid, which answers a twofold purpose: first, it prevents all friction between the foal and membrane, and secondly, it assists in raising the foal from its locality. At the first throes of the mare, the action of the womb will cause the membrane or skin to protrude through the entrance of the womb, and the fluid will be forced into it, and the weight will assist in raising the foal, until it will be presented when the skin will break and the channel will be opened for the foal to breath.