Foaling season ready? – Tips for tackling your Foaling Kit
Preparation is key to success when it comes to the foaling season, whether you have one mare to foal or fifty, there are some basic elements that should be included in your foaling kit. Having a foaling kit prepared in advance will avoid panic and provide piece of mind.
Your kit should include standard items needed for the foaling process, and those that may be needed in case of emergency. Like anything with horses, expect the unexpected. Whether you chose to allow your mare to foal out, or in a confined space such as a suitably bedded foaling box, good management and monitoring is vital.
An important consideration for your pregnant mare is to ensure that both her vaccination status and her de-worming programme are up to date. If your mare has had a Caslick’s procedure, then the suture line should be opened by your vet prior to your mare’s due date. Normal gestation for a mare is between 320 and 365 days, with the average being 341. It is imperative that on approach of the due date regular observation of the mare is carried out, to monitor for any physical changes that may indicate foaling is imminent.
Labour consists of three stages; Stage 1 – the time when uterine contractions begin / Stage 2 – the time from the waters breaking to the foal being delivered / Stage 3 – the passing of the placenta. It is important to familiarise yourself with these stages, and the accompanying problems which may arise.
Basic Items to be included in your Foaling Kit:
Contact details
For your vet and staff members in the event that help is needed
Charged phone
To call the above in case of an emergency, it can also be used as a clock to record times
Important times to note:
Mare beginning stage 1 of labour
Foal being expelled
Time taken to stand
Time taken to nurse
Time taken to pass meconium
Time at which the placenta is expelled
Clean buckets
To clean up after foaling, and to hold the placenta for examination. It is important to determine if the placenta is intact, and if not to inform your vet
Vet wrapor tail bandage
To tie up the mare’s tail, to keep it out of the way during foaling
String or bailing twine
Useful for tying up placenta
Rectal sleeves and examination gloves
For assisting the delivery, or handling the new-born foal
Foaling ropes
Colour coding these can be helpful
Scissors
Clean towels
Cleaning the mare, cleaning yourself, you can never have enough clean towels
A suitable enema
Administered to the foal to help with the passing of the meconium
Sterile lubricant.
Suitable antiseptic for the foal’s navel
To prevent infection
Clean, calibratedmeasuring cup
Head collar & lead ropes
Moving the mare during the foaling process
Torch& batteries
You never know when the power may go and you will be left in the dark
Thermometer
To ensure both mare and foal have normal temperatures post foaling
We hope these tips and tricks for creating your foaling kit were useful. Best of luck for the foaling season, and we look forward to seeing photos of all the new additions.
Based in the UAE, Nicolas Gaumerais is the Commercial Manager of Connolly's RED MILLS Group which includes Connolly's RED MILLS horse feeds and Foran Equine supplements sold in the GCC region. Nicholas regularly travels across the Gulf to meet customers.
Group Commercial and Technical Executive GCC Region
Alternatively, reach out to Dominic Bligh who offers nutritional & technical support for Connolly's REDMILLS Feed and Foran Equine supplements. Dominic is also the Commercial Manager for Foran Equine Supplements. He regularly visits client's stables in the Middle East to advise on bespoke feeding programmes.
Leading equine supplement solutions to complement your choice of horse feed
Connolly’s RED MILLS has acquired Foran Equine, providing you with leading scientifically advanced supplements to enhance the performance and well-being of your horse.