Preparing for Your New Foal
Planning ahead can increase your foal’s chances of arriving safely.
The birth of a foal is a natural process. Most mares go through
an uneventful labor and delivery. However, for first time mare owners the
foaling process can sometimes be intimidating. If you don’t have any
experience delivering a foal you should consider finding an experienced foaling
attendant. A foaling attendant is someone that knows the foaling
process and can determine if veterinarian intervention is needed. You may want
to check with your local vet, to see if he or she can recommend someone to help
you. Make sure you get someone who knows what they are talking about. The most
important role of any foaling attendant is 1) to be present and 2) to determine
if the birthing is progressing normally. If, you decide to participate in the
process, it is important that you plan and prepare a head of time. Since
foals don’t always read their due date, your preparations should begin at least
30 days prior to the expected date of delivery.
Foaling Kit
You probably already have some or most of the materials needed for your foaling
kit. It is a good idea to assemble all the items early just to make sure.
Foaling kits should be portable, so that they can be easily picked up and
carried to the delivery site. It is a good idea to store the items in a large
plastic container with a sealable lid. This not only keeps the items
clean but also makes them easy to access in a time of need.
-
Tail wrap
– A clean tail or leg wrap/bandage is good to keep the mare’s long tail hairs
out of the way.
-
Clean Buckets
– Clean stainless or a new plastic bucket comes in handy to clean the mare’s
utter or vulva.
-
Flashlight- This allows you to visualize the mare’s utters
better for wax or milk. It also is less disturbing than large overhead
lighting. (extra batteries are also a good idea)
-
Thermometer- A thermometer can be used to check the mare’s
temperature after delivery and the newborn foal’s temperature.
-
Lubricating Jelly-
Sterile lubricating jelly is sometimes needed for vaginal exams.
-
Sterile Plastic Gloves / Sleeves- For vaginal exams, this
is to protect the mare not the attendant.
-
Halter and Lead Rope/Shank- This will be needed if the mare
needs to be walked before the vet arrives.
-
Clock or Watch- You need to keep track of the duration of
the different stages of labor as well as the foals first nursing and passing of
the meconium (foal’s first stool). It is easy to lose track of time during the
foaling process and having a watch at hand enables you to monitor many
important events.
-
Note Pad and Pen- This makes it easier to write down your
observations and times.
-
Garbage Bags- This is a place to discard the placenta and
other waste products. Sometimes your veterinarian likes to check out the
afterbirth during his/her new foal exam.
-
Bailing Twine (thick string) -
It may be a good idea to tie up the fetal membranes while the placenta is
detaching. You don’t want the mare to step on the fetal membranes and rip
out the placenta too early. This may cause damage to the uterus.
-
Blunt Ended Scissors
– May be needed for cutting the twine.
-
Clean Towels- Several clean dry towels may be needed to dry
off the foal.
-
Portable Hair Dryer or Extra Large Sweater or Safe Heat Lamp-
If the weather is cold or the foal is weak you may need to help maintain
his/her body temperature. The sweater can be worn like a sweater if necessary.
-
Fleet Enema- This is for the foal. It may be necessary to
give the foal an enema if the meconium (foal’s first stool) is not passed in a
timely manner.
-
Providone Iodine-
This is used for disinfecting the foal’s navel. NOT Strong Iodine, this can
irritate the foal’s skin.
-
Cellular Phone-A cellular phone can come in handy if help
or advice is needed.
-
Emergency List of Phone Numbers- Have your veterinarian’s
phone number and a back up vet’s phone number ready, just in case your primary
vet can not be reached. You should also have at least one extra person present,
just in case of an emergency.
If you have purchased a new mare that is already in foal you
need to find out if she has a Caslick. A Caslick is a procedure in which the
upper part of the vulva is sewn closed. The anatomy of some mares is such
that their vulva is directed horizontally, predisposing the vagina to
contamination. The idea of the Caslick is to decrease the potential for dirt,
manure and air from entering and contaminating the vagina. If she has a Caslick
it will need to be removed prior to delivery. Some vets prefer to remove
the Caslick 2-4 weeks before the due date. Discuss with your veterinarian
the correct time to remove your mare’s Caslick.
A Place to Foal
It is time to decide if you want your mare to foal inside a
stall or in the outdoors. There are pluses and minuses to
both. Wherever you choose you will need to prepare the site early
enough so that your mare is familiar with her surroundings.
Indoors – Foaling Stall
Choosing an inside location can be more convenient for you but, you’ll still
need to make sure that it is foal safe. Check for nail ends in the stall
boards. Check and make sure the boards don’t have splinters. Look
to see if the boards are space too far apart. You don’t want the foal to kick
high or low and get its soft young foot stuck. Make sure the floor mats are not
lifting. Don’t leave hooks or eye hooks in the walls. Remember to
remove all buckets. You may want to start feeding your mare from ground
feeders when she is close to her due date.
Your stall size is very important. The bigger the better.
Minimum is 12x12 feet. Recommended foaling stalls are at least 12 x16
feet and many of the breeding farms use stalls 20x20 feet.
Check to make sure that your stall door or stall walls don’t
have a gap between it and the ground. A foal could easily get his/her leg
caught with tragic results. Use a section of wood to close the gap.
Even in the smallest gap, a new foal can wedge it’s foot and leg. Ideally a
foaling stall has two entrances just in case one is blocked by the mare in
labor.
Mares prefer a dim light for sleeping but, good lighting is
necessary to observe the delivery. When the delivery is actually in
progress you will want adequate lighting. If needed procure lanterns or
floodlights.
Adequate ventilation is important for both the mare and foal.
The amount of fresh outside air allowed to circulate will depend upon the
weather. It is very important that the foal doesn’t have a cold drafty stall.
Air circulation is better high in the stall with the lower 2/3 draft free. Make
sure there are no drafts close to the ground where the foal lies and sleeps.
Clean, dust free straw should be used as bedding. Other
bedding materials such as sawdust and shavings are dusty and can be easily
inhaled by the foal. These also tend to stick to everything including the
foal’s navel and should not be used. A mare should be bedded on straw at
least two weeks prior to her due date. If the mare eats the straw
bedding, keep a constant supply of quality hay available for her.
Mares that are outside all the time should be brought in at
night at least 30 days prior to her due date. This will give her time to
acclimate to her foaling environment.
Outdoor Foaling
Some mares may prefer foaling outdoors. The great outdoors offers a more
spacious and sometimes more hygienic space. Weather should always be kept in
mind if you choose an outdoor location.
When choosing your outdoor location look for a clean,
preferably grassy area that has not been used for a while. The longer the
time the land hasn’t been used the better. Clear all the rocks, sticks
and any other debris from your foaling area. The fencing should be made foal
safe so that the foal doesn’t roll under the fence or get caught in it.
Foals are less likely to see wire fence so you may need to make it more visible
with a board or possibly snow fencing. If you are enclosing your own
foaling area make it at least 20x20 feet. Once you have the location set
up keep it clean by not allowing other animals in it.
Outdoor lighting should be considered a head of time. If
the birth occurs during the night you may need to use a portable flood light or
even the head lights of a vehicle.
Don’t forget to keep your foaling kit somewhere close by.
Back Up Plan
Remember birthing is a natural process. Most foals are born with little
or no human help. However if there are complications you need to be
ready. Know the normal stages of labor and what to expect from your new
foal and mare after delivery. Have your emergency phone numbers
handy. Make sure your truck and trailer are ready if you need them.
If you don’t have a truck or trailer, make arrangements with someone who does.
Put together a list of friends that can help you with short notice.
Having a foal can be a very rewarding experience. Planning
ahead can increase your foal’s chances of arriving safely
By Dr. B. Stern
|