Foal at home or at stud?

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sarah and hatty

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My mare is due in June and is both of our first times. I keep her at home and have a stable 12x14 outside my bedroom window. Originally I was thinking of keeping her at home where she is relaxed and happy but now am seriously considering a stud which is only 10 mins down the road from me. Purely for their expetise if something went wrong. What would people recommend? I would love to keep her at home but dont want to do it for the wrong reasons. I am going on a course at Tremlows soon to learn as much as I can but i guess like anything else to do with horses no amount of theory can beat practical experience. Would I be mad to foal her at home, how stressful is it?
 
If it were my mare, I would have her foal at home. You don't want her to be stressed with a new house and herd (possibly) before giving birth - you want her to be as settled and happy as possible.

99,9% of times the mare can handle it. Just be sure you have your phone on hand and call the vet if you suspect things aren't going the way they're supposed to.

Seeing a few other mares foal is also good and I can see you are arranging for it already :)
 
It's my and my mare's first time this year as well and I'm keeping her at home. I plan to be around for the actual birth using a combination of milk testing and baby monitor (IR wireless camera and monitor for less than £40).
Speak to your vet so they know in advance about the mare and as soon as you get concerned get on the phone or else you could talk to the local stud and if your vet is a little distance from you then you could ask them if they would be willing to come provide assistance if you get into trouble and they are free (obviously they would charge for such a service).
 
I had my first foal last year and although had gained some experience of mares and foals from buying my brood mare and her week old foal at foot the previous year, my personal experience has been that my stud has provided an absolutely invaluable service by extremely experienced staff for foaling down and the first few weeks of life for both my foals; a period during which experienced handling of the foal is very beneficial (and made it a lot easier for me to then subsequently pick up that foal handling as someone who was new to doing that).

Although foaling is often straightforward there are some times when it is not and experienced staff being present to take immediate action (often before the vet can arrive) can be critical. Even though my last foal was healthy when he was born, there were a number of things to do that I didn't feel experienced enough to deal with, it was a relief to be present to be able to see everything, but to let the stud staff deal with it! Finally, studs almost always use experienced reproductive vets who often do routine visits every day to do the necessary new foal checks, which I personally found to be very useful.

Why don't you speak to the stud, I am sure they would be pleased to explain the detail of the service they provide for foaling down and first few weeks of the foal's life and you can determine whether or not you would prefer to do this at home yourself?

All the very best wishes for a safe foaling and lovely new foal :)
 
SCMSL said:
If it were my mare, I would have her foal at home. You don't want her to be stressed with a new house and herd (possibly) before giving birth - you want her to be as settled and happy as possible.
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This is why it is always recommended that mares to foal are at the new stud at least one month before foaling so the mares can settle into their new routine and this also gives them the chance to adapt their system to any new bacteria that they are not used to so they can protect their foal better through immunity. The foal will still have that problem at your own home, everywhere has bacteria of some sort or another but the mare is already used to that.

It's definitely personal choice OP but how experienced and practical are you in the normal run of things; could you cope if all doesn't go to plan; have you sufficient back up if the vet is unable to get to you or would you go to pieces wringing your hands and be as much use as a chocolate teapot?
If you're sure you can cope well with anything thrown at you including a problem with either or both of them which needs vet attention then I'd go for it and leave her at home. But IF for any reason you think you will end up panicking and being unable to do anything but run around like a headless chicken when your mare needs you, then I'd say be fair to your mare and give her the best chance of a safe delivery with experienced people. Yes, things can and do go wrong at the best studs too but they are experienced people and know how to deal with it and have the facilities to back them up which you won't have at home.

There is nothing nicer than watching your mare with your new foal but do beware that it can sometimes be a brutal event (or so it seems to us, especially if you haven't seen it at all) and you have to be prepared for that; it's not for the faint hearted.

As the stud is so near perhaps they'd let you help with foal watch whether you send your mare there or not so you could get a better idea of how quickly everything can happen?
 
Home. I agree with Maesfen, there is absolutely nothing more special than watching them foal. And providing your organised there's no reason why there should be a problem.

Brilliant idea about asking the stud if you can help with foal watch.
 
I had my girl at home to foal and typically she did it when i was in the shower, some ways i wish she had been at stud as she did manage to stand on lil one before we got to her, but lucky for me the stallion owner was just up the road so she came down to help out and my vet was with us when called as well. No real damage but a few all hands on deck moments!
 
Thanks for all those valid responses. I have already seen the stud and she would go there 2 weeks before to get used to it etc and 1 week after so they can start the foal handling for me. I know on paper that all sounds like the ideal plan(apart from the price!) but apart of me would love to have it all happen at home!
My husband is a farmer and calves cows all the time which i know isn't the same but it does mean we have seen some sights and not too fainthearthed, where did you get the cameras etc from?
and so the dilemma continues.... have to tell the stud this week! decisions decisions ......
 
Just go to amazon or ebay type places for baby monitors and you can get infrared ones which pan and everything for £30-40
 
sarah and hatty said:
My husband is a farmer and calves cows all the time which i know isn't the same but it does mean we have seen some sights and not too fainthearthed, ..
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Lol, same for my husband too but he was so shocked how quickly things moved for a mare in comparison when we called in at friend's stud just as one was about to start to foal.
Compared to a cow which can take hours and not take any harm, a mare is usually over in minutes or else there could be problems. It was a real wake up call for him and taught him that I hadn't been over reacting before, that minutes really do count. If you can get that through to him, virtually job sorted! Good luck. :)
 
as someone whose friend lost 2 foals in succession at home in stable under bedroom, i would go with a stud every time especially as its so close you will be there in time to see everything anyway. they dont always do evrything when you expect and you cant be there 24/7. a stud can. good luck whatever you choose.
 
I'm using a local stud as I don't have the time (with a young baby), or really the expertise or experience to deal with any possible problems.
I'm a born worrier and I think if it could happen it would!
Good luck, with your choice. Either way you have to be settled with what you've decided on.
Ps my mare changed yards really well, so that made me think I had done the right thing.
 
If you have the time - and energy - to watch your mare then I would say foal her down at home. There is nothing more special.

If you are worried, maybe have a calm experienced friend to help you, even if only at the end of the phone.

Good luck with whatever you decide, it is a very special experience :)
 
Me and my girl are both first timers too but she will be staying at home. My YO has kindley offered me her spare room to stay in when she gets a little closer too … we live only a mile away but this way I’ll be there on site for quick and easy checking!

My vet (and very good experienced breeder friends) are all on hand should I need them :D
 
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