First time mare to foal

jeeve

jeeve

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Our mare is due to foal in December, around or just after Christmas. It has been 14 years since we have had a mare foal. I will have a foal alarm on the mare, as we did with previous (and this worked well).

What other things should I do in the last 8 -10 weeks.

What do I need on hand? I am concious of the fact it will be holiday period, although will still have vets on hand if needed.

She will be foaling outside in paddock, as we do not have stable facilities. Although we do have a 2 bay shed we could use at a pinch if there was a real issue.

She looks good and has good feed and supplements. Any comments or suggestions welcome.

Also previously we put iodine on the umbilical cord, is this something that we should still do, or is there a better antiseptic/product?
 
Hi,
The best advice i can give you is get a good book! Our first time went well due to the fact that i'd spent weeks memorizing my book! (from foal to full grown - brilliant book)

And re- umbilical cord - yes iodine is still the best thing to use.

Hope all goes well :)
 
jeeve said:
She will be foaling outside in paddock, as we do not have stable facilities. Although we do have a 2 bay shed we could use at a pinch if there was a real issue.
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I was about to start explaining the serious danger to newborn foals of snow and heavy rain - then saw where you were from! :D

Obviously, worm 6-8 weeks before foaling - and again the day she foals with an Ivermectin or similar based wormer. And trim her feet well in advance - in the last 6-8 weeks they don't like standing on 3 legs.

Disagree completely with iodine - it is too harsh for sensitive tissues and can delay healing. A Terramycin spray is probably the best - and don't just treat the navel once. It needs doing at least twice in the first 24 hours - and then at least daily until it has dried right up.

And last - be aware that NO foaling alarm is 100% reliable. There are different sorts triggered by different things - and mares just LOVE working out ways to fool them!
 
I have started reading books (since my post) and now know the normal presentation, but really was concerned when I read that if the placenta is the first part you see, you need to cut through this to get to the foal etc. I wonder has any one had to do anything like this to help a foal be born. Ie take proactive action to save it's life.

After reading this I now have resolved to read as much as possible, so as to have some idea, but I really am a bit squeamish. Neverthess I will do what I have to.
 
I'd foal out... always do by preference.

I use a purple spray type spray from the vet, and ditto on the repeat sprays, I think I did every 2 hours on first day and twice a day thereafter.

Personally I wouldn't worm on day of foaling either, they've been thro enough!
 
I worm 6-8 weeks before expected date.

For the umbilical cord I use the blue spray from the Vets - sorry forgotten name.

I also give the mare a tetanus booster 4-6 weeks before due date.

Have never used a foal alarm, sorry.

It's all about noticing changes in behaviour, milk, and vulva, and basically sitting up night after night ;)

Good luck x
 
jeeve said:
I have started reading books (since my post) and now know the normal presentation, but really was concerned when I read that if the placenta is the first part you see, you need to cut through this to get to the foal etc. I wonder has any one had to do anything like this to help a foal be born. Ie take proactive action to save it's life.
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This is what is called a 'Red Bag' delivery - basically it means the foal is coming out in the placenta (which should follow it out.) You have a matter of a few minutes to get the foal out as if the placenta is TOTALLY separated (and it usually is) then the foal will try to breathe within the bag. Have a pair of surgical scissors (with curved blade and blunt tips) handy just in case (although sometimes you can tear it with your fingers. Get the head out and thenm take both front legs - one in front of the other - and pull quite hard. Don't pull OUT from the mare, pull down towards her hocks. Keep one front leg in front of the other to keep one shoulder forward.

It helps to have a couple of tea-towels handy with which to grip the legs - they're slippery little so-and-sos! As soon as you have the foal out, clear the nose and mouth (tea-towels are useful for this too!) and make sure he is breathing. If he doesn't appear to be, some vigorous slapping to the chest area can help get things going.

But if it's any consolation, I foal around 15 mares a year and have only had one Red Bag in the past 3 years (and it survived!)
 
Worming on the day of foaling - the reason you do this, is because for some reason (there are theories on it, but not proven), it prevents the foal from scouring during the foal heat. Foal heat scours are incredibly unpleasant for the foal, and I would recommend people do what they can to avoid it!

Worming a horse is NOT traumatic in any way....we simply pop a quick tube of Ivermectin in the side of the mouth, it does not upset the mare at all! And why would it...most domesticated horses are well used to it!

I can also confirm, we have been using Ivermectin on the day of foaling for 3 years now, and I can confirm that it prevents scouring in 95% of foals.
 
Chlorhexidine or terramycin are the best products these days to use on the umbilicus as they are more gentle than the iodine tinctures.

I always worm my broodmares with ivermectin within 12 hours of the foals being born. It helps to prevent scours in the foals.

Red bag deliveries are relatively rare. Janet has given a good description of what to do if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. You want to get that foal out asap if you do have placenta previa.

Check the foal's presentation and make sure it is correct. Even with correct presentations I've still had to assist occasionally when legs have become trapped or need flipping into position. I had one whose body was coming out twisted sideways so a I gently but firmly guided it into the right position. If you have to assist then make sure you pull downwards towards the mares hocks and only pull with her contractions (the exception can be in a red bag delivery where you may have to take action you normally would not take to get the foal out quickly).

The vast majority of foalings go without a hitch or with just a bit of tweaking but it's always best being prepared and know what you're looking for.

Having foaled down lots of mares I know what I'm looking for so know when something is not going right however I still revise on all mispresentations at the beginning of every foaling season so that it is forefront in my mind.
 
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I read all the books, asked all the right questions, had my foaling kit all ready & was checking my mare as much as possible...

she surprised me & i arrived at 8am to a beautiful filly foal & proud happy mummy wandering around the field (this was a 1st foal & she did it all herself)

Dont worry too much & im sure it will all be fine!!
 
Many thanks to all who have replied.

I had not intended to breed a foal again, although overall we were very lucky with the previous two foals (and one donkey foal ) that we had bred, in that they all foaled without assistance, and were healthy. I am now starting to get a bit panicky, but can see that being prepared as possible is the best strategy, so will put together a kit and have numbers of vet handy and keep reading.

The kids are really excited and just hope it all goes well. My oldest son carefully tailoring her feed, and while we are making sure she is not too fat, she has a lovely gloss on her coat, her dapples are coming out. I am excited and nervous.
 
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