Information About Foal Care
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If you love horses, there is nothing quite as rewarding or exciting as caring for a foal.
A foal needs to have special care from the moment of birth and there are specific things a horse owner must do in order to protect a foal and give it a healthy start in life.
At The Moment Of Birth:
Most mares are very protective of their foals so never, ever get in between a mare and her foal. You will need someone to hold the mare as you care for the foal.
Any birthing difficulties will require the immediate assistance of a qualified horse vet. A vet must examine the foal and mare within the first 24 hours of the birth, sooner if either one experienced any problems during or shortly after the birth.
You must make certain that the foal is breathing at the moment of birth.
Remove any mucus or the fetal membranes if they are still intact. Mucus and the fetal membranes can obstruct the nostrils and prevent breathing.
If you notice that the foal is not breathing, gently twist an ear, slap its face or insert a straw into its nostrils until you hear it sneeze.
Close one nostril and give a few breaths into the other nostril. Sometimes all the foal needs is a brisk toweling after birth. The toweling will not only dry the foal off but also stimulate it to breathe.
An infection caused by microorganisms called, “septicemia” can enter by way of the umbilical stump. You need to dip the umbilical stump in iodine to prevent this infection from occurring.
If the mare is nursing watch to be sure that the foal is nursing successfully.
You should hear slurping sounds if the foal has latched on properly. The first attempt at nursing should happen within the first hour of life and be successful within the first two hours.
If the foal is not successful within the first two hours of birth you will need to intervene with bottle-feeding.
If the foal is not nursing successfully within the first 2 hours of birth or the mare is not nursing, you can bottle feed the foal the colostrum (first milk) about 4 oz. every 15 minutes.
The mare can be milked in order to do this so the foal gets her colostrums, which contain important antibodies to protect the foal’s health.
It is important that the foal have a bowel movement within the first two hours of birth.
If need be, give an enema after the foal nurses or is bottle-fed. Repeat the enema if necessary.
Watch for symptoms of colic if the foal retains the meconium. Notify the vet immediately if the foal has not had a bowel movement or shows any signs of colic.
After the feedings and first bowel movement, leave the mare and foal alone so they can bond.
This is a very special time for them to get acquainted. You can watch quietly at a short distance, but try not to disturb them. If, however the mare makes any aggressive movements towards the foal, be prepared to remove the foal from the stall.
You need to begin the imprinting process by touching its hooves and legs and by tapping on its feet to simulate what shodding will feel like. Touch its ears and nose, and rub gently, its entire body to make it easier to handle the foal when it becomes an adult horse.
Notify your horse vet of the birth of the foal and set up an appointment for its first vaccination.
Previous Articles By This Author
- Buying Your First Horse
- Equipment for Horses
- Basics of Horse Care
- Grooming your Horse
- The History of Horses
