Foaling Alarm Recommendations

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DRSsporthorses

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drssporthorses.propoohd.com
Hello everyone!

I am looking for a foaling alarm for our two mares due to foal later this spring and would like to get some input from others on preference of alarm, and possibly suppliers/brands that you recommend.

I am stuck on which option would be best: the halter device, or the surcingle? Does anyone have a preference and if so, why do you prefer it?

Also any recommendations for brand/contact information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
 
Your biggest problem might be getting a response from companies. We have emailed three times to UK and France with no response.

I often wonder why businesses go to the bother of having a website and then ignore their prospective customers!!
 
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http://www.foaling-alarms.co.uk/

Surcingle type - used for several years, multi mares to one receiver.

Thorough recommend, never let me down yet - all the mares are very comfortable with it also.

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Ditto! Used them for years with excellent results. Great service; very helpful & friendly. They do hire them too - but get in early!!
 
I don't know how far you are from your stables, but I bought a baby alarm from Mothercare and had it in her stable for about 2 weeks before she was due to foal. A bit noisy, but I eventually got used to the f*****g noises, but then began to recognise the 'abnormal' stuff.

I woke at around 03.30 to the sound of 'bed pawing' - I went out and her tail was up and I knew that it was 'the time'. It was, and she delivered about 50 minutes later. I was amazed that I could manage to get a tail bandage on her when my hands were shaking soooo much. It was an amazing time....a maiden mare and a maiden mum!!

Treasure every moment and video it if you can - we did but the leaky eyes were a dead giveaway!
 
as above, i used a baby alarm (got 1 off ebay actually), you can hear every munch, every step in the bedding, and every wee, so there's no way of not hearing the waters break. worked fine for mine, and didn't disturb the mare at all.
 
Sorry, I really can't remember, but I think it is a good way away. Maybe Kerilli can remember better than I can - she's much younger than me I'm sure.....................

BTW I agree with K that you can hear every move and pee, but you do get used to it and can soon differentiate between a normal pee or poo or f**t. Just keep drinking the wine (in moderation of course).
 
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kylix. 01799 542137 (direct, they hire too)
or here
http://www.thegrovespa.co.uk/treatments/viewdetails.asp?ID=7
would highly recomend!
it even texts you!

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They're fine if the mare has read the book and lies down to foal. Not all do. The worst delivery I had last year the mare didn't lie down at ALL. The sweat activated alarm got me there in plenty of time - but if I'd relied on the alarm that requires the mare to lie down I'd have had a dead mare and a dead foal.
 
Just a thought used to use a surveillance camera at lambing time--watch what was happening on TV from nice warm bed complete with sound effects.
 
my baby alarm was about 80m from the stable, and worked fine.
you can turn the volume up or down on the receiver depending on how light you sleep, too. there is no way you'd miss the niagara falls sound when the waters break, unless you sleep like the dead... which is hard when they munch all night!
 
Thanks, we have cctv but hasn't got sound and I'm sure it'd help! I need to sleep some of the night so I can function in the daytime.
 
Best option that we found was a combination of baby alarm and CCTV - it worked great for us, as the baby alarm wakes you up with "unusual" noises - once you realised that horses snore!!! and get used to that - and you can check what's happening on the CCTV.
 
Any of you using baby alarms - do they work throught stone walls. Our farm and barns are very old with thick walls.

Company we have eamiled and left messages for have not responded.
 
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