The foaling season is knocking on our doors and for breeders who still have some time to go the key question is: where are we with our preparations?
Preparing for foaling actually begins when the mare is in foal. Good condition of the mare is an important precondition for the successful birth and the foal’s start in life. A fit mare includes vaccinations and deworming. Also make sure that the mare is stabled in the environment where she will deliver her foal way ahead of her due date. And with a birth control system in place too.
Foal kit: crucial!
When ‘le moment suprême’ has finally arrived the last thing you need is to find out that something is missing. So a foal kit with all the important items is indispensable. What do you need:
o A fully-charged mobile phone with your vet’s phone number
o Tail bandage
o Clean bucket
o Disinfection agent for the umbilical cord
o Umbilical clamp
o Soap to wash hands when assistance is required
o Lubricating jelly
o An enema
o Bag for storing the afterbirth
o Towels
Foal check list!
On veterinarian Iris van Gulik’s website a foal check list can be downloaded which describes how to prepare for the foal’s birth, what time frames are involved for the elements of the birthing process, the dos and DONTS at the time of birthing and when to call in the help of the vet.
