First time breeding?

[nijinsky]

Are you sending your mare away to foal or are you confident to foal at home.

It's probably a bit early to be thinking about but would like your views.

Twemlows do various courses including a "foaling" course. Anyone done it? Is it worth doing?

Thanks.

 

[AndyPandy]

A number of my clients attended on the Mendip Stud's foaling course early this year, which made them feel a great deal more confident about foaling at home.

I think a course of some kind (or maybe multiple courses) is a must for anyone foaling for the first time.

 

[Rainbowrider]

If anyone has details of any breeding / foaling courses like this, I would be interested!

Thanks.

 

[Springs]

Hi, we have a couple of mares that are due next year and so are going to do the course at Twemlows.

Better to have some idea if something is not quite going to plan rather than none.

 

[nijinsky]

Well, I'm seriously considering doing the Twemlows one. Thanks AP but am I right the Mendip one is in Somerset, too far to travel. Twemlows if far enough away and if there are any closer to East Anglia would be more interested.

The Twemlows one is on their website, they do a few courses, AI technician, foaling, foals first year, etc, think it's March.

 

[nijinsky]

Do you think we'd get a discount if we all went together

 

[Faithkat]

To foal, mine went back to the stud where she was covered. Worth every penny for the peace of mind. I do not have any facilties and I wasn't going to risk all the time, effort and financial outlay having her foal in the field.

 

[ASM2]

We will be holding a series of evening seminars in the Spring at our Tower Farm AI Centre, Lincs on foaling and in conjunction with Bailey Horse Feeds on AI. Dates and details will appear on our website when it goes live in the New Year - www.towerequine.co.uk.

In addition, the owners of our second AI Centre at Brackenspa Stud, Lincs provide a full foaling service - mares from individual clients and local studs have foaled there this year. They are extremely experienced and dedicated, 5 minutes down the road from the stud vet's home, and all foaling boxes are equipped with CCTV monitoring which they watch throughout the night - www.brackenspastud.co.uk.

Some options for you closer to home

 

[luckilotti]

I'm also wanting to go on one of the foaling courses, didnt want to go this year as i would have been heavily pregnant with twins or just had them (were due end march but came mid feb!) dont think people would have liked to see a double human birth! (hubby still hears my screams lol!)
I foaled my 1st foal at home in June this year, for weeks i was up at all hours then missed the event! thankfully it all went well but i guess you should talk it over with your vet - see how long it would take them to get to you and are you prepared to sit up a lot overnight etc. I think going on a course would be really helpful, so either you would feel more confident or decide its too much and then you could send her away.

 

[nijinsky]

ASM I would definately like to do the foaling course and as it's so much nearer than Twemlows would suit me better.

There are pros & cons for foaling at home and stud, just interested in peoples experiences/opinions.

 

[luckilotti]

I know quite a few people who have let their mares foal in a field, with other horses out and not even checked on them though the night! Thankfully all seems to have been ok but i personally couldnt and wouldnt do it.

 

[Clodagh]

I wouild be interested in the Linncs foaling course, too.
Are there any in Newmarket? So much closer for me!

 

[ASM2]

Nijinsky - I'll post the dates on the forum aswell as on our website in the New Year. It would be lovely to see you there.
Equestrian Life magazine will also advertise when places are available.

Just to clarify, it won't be a foaling "course" - more of a seminar on general foaling: what to expect, how to deal with any complications etc and a chance to speak with our stud vet and the Brackenspa team on an individual basis afterwards. Ie covering everything you need to know but no certificate and also no fee.

We do give priority for tickets to our existing clients - we see the foaling seminars really as part of our AI service to our clients - but will always add more seminar dates where there is the demand.

 

[charliesarmy]

Does anyone know of any courses which run in the North (Lancashire Area) I've been around horses for over twenty years but have no experiance about breeding and I now have a mare due May 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so any help would be appreciated........

 

[CrazyMare]

Think I'll make the trip across to you for that A! I had mine foal at home this year. My YO is a very experianced dairy farmer, and although I know it isn't horses, he has calved hundreds of cows. Thankfully all went OK fo rmy foal, unfortunatly their foal was a difficult one, and nearly died. However he managed to get it out safely and its now cantering around

 

[ASM2]

be lovely to see you there CM - foaling seminars will be eves in Feb - AI with Baileys Sat pms mid to end of March