It’s foaling season! Is your mare expecting a foal? What an exciting time, full of hope, anxiety, and anticipation. Preparing in advance can alleviate potential problems.
Stall. Foals are curious creatures and need your help in providing an extra safe environment for their first few months of life.
First, select a stall that will give your mare privacy. If she has other horses whose company she enjoys, they can be placed a few stalls down but not directly adjacent. The foaling area should be large enough for the mare to move around comfortably, lie down, and not step on her foal (at least 12 foot by 12 foot, ideally larger).
Now inspect the stall carefully. Are there loose splinters? Remove them and sand the wood down so it’s smooth. Are there hooks or protruding nails? Any sharp surface that might cause injury must be removed. Now, look up. Are there dangling wires or ropes? Secure them well away from your horses.
Next, think of how small a foal’s hooves are. Are there any tripping hazards or boards where it could catch its small feet? Holes in the floor or uneven spots? Repair any such situations.
Disinfecting. Once you’ve inspected and corrected any hazards in your foaling stall, disinfect it thoroughly, using a diluted disinfectant such as Lysol. Make sure the stall is completely dry after washing. Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria. Lime is caustic, so avoid using it to clean your stall floors during the four weeks prior to the foal’s arrival or in the months after her birth.
Wash and thoroughly dry all feed and water containers, too. Wall-mounted feed and water stations should be put in place to avoid the problem of your foal stepping in or tripping over buckets on the floor.
Bedding. Straw makes the best bedding for mare and foal. Experts warn that shavings or sawdust can contain bacteria unhealthy for a baby. It can also get in their nose. Consider a wall-to-wall rubber floor mat for underneath the straw. Concrete floors are hard surfaces for mare and foal alike. Make sure you do not create a tripping hazard with your floor mat, however. It should be expertly installed.
In the last month prior to birth, your mare will naturally want to be more secluded. Place her in her new stall during these weeks so she can get used to her new area.
Prepare the Foaling Kit. Have on hand, in one convenient location:
• Flashlight (torch) or lantern – I have one that converts from a flashlight to a stand-up lantern, very handy
• Several lengths of string – 1 foot long – to tie off the umbilical cord
• Disinfectant, such as iodine, for the umbilical stump
• Disinfected scissors
• A bucket or sturdy bag for the mare’s placenta
• Your vet’s and backup vet’s phone numbers!
• Clean towels
• Slightly warmed enema, in case the foal needs help passing its meconium
(first bowel movement) – one Fleet mineral oil enema is fine
• A printed checklist and timeline (link below)
You can wrap the mare’s tail if you wish, but it is not mandatory. If you wrap, never leave the tail bandage on longer than a few hours.
Do give the mare’s udder and vulva a gentle but thorough cleaning with some warm water nightly. If you use soap, you must make sure all of it is rinsed off.
Do not leave the stall lights on. Mares can and will postpone their delivery if conditions are not right. Rather, check on your mare with your flashlight, being careful not to disturb her and keeping your distance.
When birth is imminent, disinfect your hands or put on some rubber gloves. The last thing you want after all your careful preparation is to introduce bacteria at this time. You may need to assist, and this way, you will be ready to jump in. Otherwise, sit back and let the mare do her thing. Fortunately, few mares need assistance.
The Complete Book of Foaling – well illustrated, a must for those wishing to be totally prepared. Written by a vet who specializes in foaling, portrayed in an easy-to-understand guide.
