Horse owners should understand the needs at and after foaling
When striving to master foaling, horse owners need to understand the basic needs of their mares and foals.
University of Arkansas Equine Professor Kathi Jogan suggests multiple fundamental practices that need to be met when caring for mares and foals.
“The basics to ensure a healthy mare and foal include good nutrition, shelter (this can be a stall, or a turnout shed) good quality grass, hay and grain, fresh water and a sound herd health program including vaccinations and deworming,” said Jogan.
Mare’s gestation cycles run about 330 to 345 days. According to breed associations, all registered foals have birthdays listed as January 1. The foal is not actually born on January 1; however, they will have a “birthday” or turn a year older in order to keep things simple in the industry.
Thus, based on location and whether conditions planning for an April or May baby may be smarter and have a higher success rate.
Basic facilities needed would be a pasture and a place for the horses to get out of the weather.
“Most people foal their mares in a stall; 12-feet by 24-feet is the recommended for an average-sized mare,” said Jogan.
“In some places mares are foaled outside in grassy paddocks with foal-safe fences.”
Nonetheless, as the mare approaches her due date, she will need more care and attention.
Mares that are preparing to breed and raise a foal need to be physically healthy and strong enough to grow and feed a baby. For breeding purposes, it is important that the mare is not overweight, but also has enough fat and muscle to maintain and carry a foal.
Nutritionally, mares will have higher needs during the last trimesters of their pregnancy.
“Good quality pasture and hay, and grain formulated for foaling mares can provide the needed protein, energy, mineral and vitamin requirements,” said Jogan. “It is important to remember that when the foal is nursing, the nutritional needs of the mare increase – in fact her nutrient needs are greater than those of any other class of horse – except possibly horses in very intense training.”
It is also important to know what types of hay and grasses pregnant mares are consuming; furthermore, fescue, a type of grass, will cause limited milk production in the mare and could potentially cause foaling problems.
Foals will receive nutrition from the mare’s milk. In addition, they can be fed grain at an early age. There are feeds that are specific for foal nutrition and growth and they can be fed through a creep feeder which enables the mare to reach the feed.
Vaccinations for both the mare and foal depend on where you live. Jogan said the best advice that can be given is to consult with a local veterinary to determine the best vaccination plan for the mare and foal.
It is also important to remember the 1, 2, 3 rule: Foals should stand within one hour after they are born, nurse within two hours after they are born, and the mare should pass her placenta within three hours after the foal is born. If there are any delays, it is always a good idea to call a veterinarian.
“An IgG test should be done on the foal at 24 hours of age. This will ensure that your foal has immunity from threatening infections, like pneumonia,” said Jogan. “Your veterinarian can perform this test, or you can purchase a stall-side test.”
