Exercises

1. Study the new words:

Preparations, a mare, advisable, to obtain, gestation period, gaining in flesh, to conceive, abundance, to foal, observant, parturition, bedding, to concern, to be governed, separation, comparatively, preliminary precautions, the best arrangement.

2. Finish the sentence:

1. Usually mares are gaining in flesh … .

2. Selecting a mare, it is desirable to … .

3. As far as feeding is concerned, the owner should take to consideration … .

4. Foals are usually weaned … .

5. The best way to separate the foal from the dam is … .

3. Ask 4-5 questions to the text. Work in pairs.

4. Retell the text.

Maintaining the Health of Horses

Anthrax. Grazing animals are particularly susceptible to anthrax, specially when pasturing land has been recently flooded. The mortality is usually high. The first indication of the disease may be presence of severe symptoms of colic accompanied by high temperature, loss of appetite, muscular weakness and depression. The disease can be prevented by immunization. In the so called anthrax regions vaccination should be performed well in advance or the time when the disease appears. In infected areas, vaccination should be repeated each year.

Equine infectious anemia. It is a very serious blood disease of horses and mules. This disease is prevalent in moist locations, though it may be found in the regions far removed from any swamps. The disease is spread by biting insects, especially flies. There is no preventive vaccination. In order to prevent the disease it is necessary to avoid bites of insects. Animals that are thought to be infected should be separated from the healthy ones. Infected mares or stallions should not be used for breeding purposes.

Equine influenza. It is a contagious disease which is widespread throughout the world. Young animals are very susceptible to influenza. Since one of the first symptoms of equine influenza is a rapidly rising temperature, it is recommended that the temperature of young horses be taken daily. No exercise should be permitted during the period of high temperature. The early use of antibiotics or sulfa drugs may prevent some complications that may follow.

Exercises

1. Study the new words:

Susceptible, to be flooded, mortality, indication, in advance, to be repeated, moist locations, contagious, widespread, complications, to follow.

2. Find some more information on the topic and fill in the chart:

	Symptoms and causes	Prevention and treatment
Anthrax
Equine infectious anemia
Equine influenza