number of the pulse of the dam. It is heard most
satisfactorily after the sixth or eighth month and in the absence of
active rumbling of the bowels of the dam.

DURATION OF PREGNANCY.

Mares usually go about eleven months with young, though first
pregnancies often last a year. Foals have lived when born at the three
hundredth day, so with others carried till the four hundredth day. With
the longer pregnancies there is a greater probability of male offspring.

HYGIENE OF THE PREGNANT MARE.

The pregnant mare should not be exposed to teasing by a young and ardent
stallion, nor should she be overworked or fatigued, particularly under
the saddle or on uneven ground. Yet exercise is beneficial to both
mother and offspring, and in the absence of moderate work the breeding
mare should be kept in a lot where she can take exercise at will.

The feed should be liberal, but not fattening--oats, bran, sound hay,
and other feeds rich in the principles which form flesh and bone being
especially indicated. All aliments that tend to indigestion are to be
especially avoided. Thus rank, aqueous, rapidly growing grasses and
other green feed, partially ripe rye grass, millet, Hungarian grass,
vetches, peas, beans, or maize are objectionable, as is overripe,
fibrous, innutritious hay, or that which has been injured and rendered
musty by wet, or that which is infested with smut or ergot. Feed that
tends to costiveness should be avoided. Water given often, and at a
temperature considerable above freezing, will avoid the dangers of
indigestion and abortion which result from taking too much ice-cold
water at one time. Very cold or frozen feed is objectionable in the same
sense. Severe surgical operations and medicines that act violently on
the womb, bowels, or kidneys are to be avoided as being liable to cause
abortion. Constipation should be corrected, if possible, by bran mashes,
carrots, or beets, seconded by exercise, and if a medicinal laxative is
required it should be olive oil or other equally bland agent.

The stall of the pregnant mare should not be too narrow, so as to cramp
her when lying down or to entail violent effort in getting up, and it
should not slope too much from the front backward, as this throws the
weight of the uterus back on the pelvis and endangers protrusions and
even abortion. Violent mental impressions are to be avoided, for though
most mares are not affected thereby, yet a certain number are so
profoundl