I know it was asked by someone earlier but I don't think she got any responses - you are dealing with a first timer here so all suggestions are welcome - what items should I have on hand when the foals start dropping?
Also, I've heard pros and cons about foal alerts? Thoughts on them?
Also, heaters in the foaling stalls? I know some farms foal outside and don't even blanket their babes - what's everyone's thoughts on that?
All help and advice greatly appreciated. I've read books but some first hand knowledge is always more insightful for me!
Foaling Kit Items
Moderators: Roguelet, WaveMaster, madelyn
Foaling Kit Items
"We are the people our parents warned us about" - Jimmy Buffett
"My occupational hazard is that my occupation is just not around" - Jimmy Buffett
"My occupational hazard is that my occupation is just not around" - Jimmy Buffett
You should have a pair of scissors in your pocket; if the sac doesn't break open, the foal can suffocate and you will want to cut it open as soon as the head is out. You will need povidone iodine (Betadine) to dip the navel stump into. I use the plastic cap off an aerosol can to hold the Betadine. You will also want quite a lot of old towels and a soft rag or two (to wipe out the foal's nostrils). You could put in a heat lamp... but you're the only one who really needs it. If the stall is bedded up to the knees in straw, and there's no draft, you have about a 1200 lb heater already in there (the mare). Most of the stall heaters I've seen pose some fire risk. We also put at least one wheelbarrow of sawdust under the straw to absorb stuff (when their water breaks, well a LOT comes out). I have a stethoscope (you can listen to the foal's lungs to make sure they are clear). For a foal enema, I use a 60cc syringe filled with warm water with just a bit of Palmolive or Dawn. You don't use the whole thing. It is also REALLY handy to have a plastic muck tub to put the placenta, etc., into right away. I also usually have at least a half a bale of straw nearby so I can "extra" bed after the mare has foaled. I have a lab account, so my kit also includes a Vacutainer needle and tube for drawing the foal's blood to check IgGe levels. We have a remote camera in our foaling stall that has a receiver on the television in the house. I'm on the lookout for a foal alarm. Usually I just park in a lawn chair and a sleeping bag outside the stall. I take a Thermos with hot chocolate and a book. I sleep the traveler's sleep - 90% asleep, 10% waiting for the sound, in this case the water breaking. This year I'm going to try testing the ph of the colostrum (supposed to be REALLY accurate in predicting foaling). Hopefully I will get more sleep that way. I was reading something the other day about using water testing kits. You will need a tetanus shot at the ready to give your new foal. A digital Thermometer and Vaseline (you can get a temp on the mare and foal).
Wear old clothes (insulated overalls are great). Waterproof gloves are REALLY helpful.. I put large heavy duty rubber gloves over warm knit or leather ones.
Depending on the mare... you MAY need a twitch, a long lead rope for holding up a foreleg, or, worst case, a couple cc's of ace (if she gets tough about letting the little one nurse). If it is your first year, or hers, you will want those things VERY nearby in case you need them.
I usually give the mare a booster (5-way) in the last three weeks before foaling, to try to boost the immunities level in the mare.
You're going to LOVE it!!!
Wear old clothes (insulated overalls are great). Waterproof gloves are REALLY helpful.. I put large heavy duty rubber gloves over warm knit or leather ones.
Depending on the mare... you MAY need a twitch, a long lead rope for holding up a foreleg, or, worst case, a couple cc's of ace (if she gets tough about letting the little one nurse). If it is your first year, or hers, you will want those things VERY nearby in case you need them.
I usually give the mare a booster (5-way) in the last three weeks before foaling, to try to boost the immunities level in the mare.
You're going to LOVE it!!!
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....
Some additional items that are sometimes overlooked.....we always have on hand long pieces of extremely soft rope or cording. In case of emergency and your foal is stuck you can wrap these around the forlegs and help to pull the foal out.
But remember...once the head, forelegs and shoulders are out, DO NOT PULL. Let mare and baby rest with the back half of the foal inside. Usually after a few minutes mom will start to get restless and the rest will come, but you don't want to yank baby out and severe the cord.
Additionally, always have on hand plenty of lubricant (we use KY). Once the water breaks you will want to gently palpate the mare to make sure baby is correctly positioned. Be careful, front and back legs tend to look amazingly alike up to the hock if you are inexperienced.
We also have a baby bottle in case baby hasn't stood and nursed in a reasonable amount of time. In some cases you may need to express mom's milk and bottle feed baby. It is EXTREMELY important that the foal get the early colostrum, which will provide immunities and antibodies needed.
We use simple bailing twine to tie up mom's tail until she expells the placenta, you don't want her to step backwards onto it and pull it out.
A simple way to remember when the major milestones should happen is 1-2-3. As in, one hour for foal to stand, two hours for foal to nurse, three hours for mom the expell the placenta.
One more thing you may want to consider...we always have on hand Oxytocin. If mom hasn't expelled the placenta within 3 hours, this is considered a possible emergency situation and your vet may direct you to administer Oxytocin to encourage uterine contractions. The longer the mare takes to expell the placenta, the more likely bacteria will be introduced. NEVER pull on the placenta. And when in doubt, alway err on the side of caution and call your vet. After all, it's a new little life on the line!
Best of luck!!!
But remember...once the head, forelegs and shoulders are out, DO NOT PULL. Let mare and baby rest with the back half of the foal inside. Usually after a few minutes mom will start to get restless and the rest will come, but you don't want to yank baby out and severe the cord.
Additionally, always have on hand plenty of lubricant (we use KY). Once the water breaks you will want to gently palpate the mare to make sure baby is correctly positioned. Be careful, front and back legs tend to look amazingly alike up to the hock if you are inexperienced.
We also have a baby bottle in case baby hasn't stood and nursed in a reasonable amount of time. In some cases you may need to express mom's milk and bottle feed baby. It is EXTREMELY important that the foal get the early colostrum, which will provide immunities and antibodies needed.
We use simple bailing twine to tie up mom's tail until she expells the placenta, you don't want her to step backwards onto it and pull it out.
A simple way to remember when the major milestones should happen is 1-2-3. As in, one hour for foal to stand, two hours for foal to nurse, three hours for mom the expell the placenta.
One more thing you may want to consider...we always have on hand Oxytocin. If mom hasn't expelled the placenta within 3 hours, this is considered a possible emergency situation and your vet may direct you to administer Oxytocin to encourage uterine contractions. The longer the mare takes to expell the placenta, the more likely bacteria will be introduced. NEVER pull on the placenta. And when in doubt, alway err on the side of caution and call your vet. After all, it's a new little life on the line!
Best of luck!!!
Excited too 
and do feel better. I'm sure we can do it! Right??