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Preparation for the arrival of the new foal includes
the mare, she must be in optimum health. Your
mare should be de-wormed 4-6 wks before the arrival
of the foal and she will need her
Rhinopneumonitis vaccine at the 5th, 7th, and 9th
month of the pregnancy. If she is due for her annual
vaccinations give them to the mare 4-6 weeks before
foaling as this helps to increase the antibodies in
the colostrum for the foal. The foal can be
de-wormed at 2 months of age. Of course there are
other vaccinations that your foal will need and they
usually begin at around 6 months, so check with your
veterinarian.
Your mare
will need a clean, dry stall (preferably 14'x14'),
and peace and quiet. Straw or wheat straw is
the preferred bedding for newborn foals, as shavings
may get into your newborns nasal passages and cause
respiratory problems. Straw creates a thermal
barrier between the foal and the cold floor and
urine seeps down through the straw to keep the top
layer dry for the newborn.
Also, you
can use the clean straw to gently wipe the newborn
down after birth. After a week or two most
owners change the bedding to a more absorbent
bedding of shavings or hemp. Remove the soiled
bedding promptly and replace as needed.
Horses
still prefer the open range or pasture if given a
choice. There are some great benefits to pasture
foaling that you may want to think about. For one,
the pasture is cleaner than most stalls and two it
is a healthy and natural environment with plenty of
room to foal. You won't have to worry about the mare
foaling to close to a wall or corner.
Make sure
your first aid kit is replenished and handy. Don't
forget to add scissors and iodine to your first aid
kit for the cutting of the umbilical cord and iodine
for the foals naval. A small shot glass works
great to dip the naval into.
Many
owners still prefer to confine the mare to a clean
stall to observe the mares progress and in case any
emergency arises.
Happy Trails To Your
And Your Horse,
Michele D. Anderson
Posterhorse and
Yourhorseinfo
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