Do breeders allow their mares to foal on sawdust?

Question

pony arrived at our barn 2 months ago. she was extremly malnurished and fattened right up in no time. she was purchased by the owner for his 2 kids. she is now in good condition, and it has become apparent that some nit - wit allowed her to be bred and she looks to foal in a few weeks. this is not a breeding farm, it is a pleasure riding - boarding facility. i have worked on tb breeding farms and those animals were always kept on straw. is it unsafe to allow foaling in sawdust? buying a few bales of straw for delivery is not a problem...i was just wondering if it is necessary? thank you!

Answer 1

There is no problem with foaling on sawdust, however, I have been told that saw dust may cause respiratory irritation for the foal during birth. Im not sure as to how much truth there is to this so dont quote me. We always we straw so its just natural that our mares foal on straw.

Answer 2

I've been breeding horses for about 15 years. Do NOT use shavings/sawdust. DO use straw.  Sawdust can very easily get into the foal's airway during birth and can cause respiratory problems including the possibility of suffocation. (During birth and for the first few weeks of life.) Sawdust also sticks to the umbilical stump and can cause a horrible infection that goes systemic because that's a direct route into the foal for several days. You'll need to keep a nice thick layer of straw for the mare and foal for about 30 days. Do an evaluation at that point. It'll probably be okay to switch to sawdust/shavings after 30 days.

I can't stand using straw because it's a pain in the rear to clean up, but it really is the best and safest thing to use. So, please, use ample amounts of straw.

Good luck!  Foaling is a wonderful experience. I hope it all goes well for you!  Be sure to ask your vet what you need to include in your foaling kit. Keep in on hand!  

Answer 3

most to all people use straw for when they give birth, i dont know the exact reason for this, but they do not use sawdust at all. i do believe it is unsafe, but i couldnt point out the reason it is. maybe google it to get more details, and most places have a broodmare stall, it's basically twice the size of a normal stall to make sure there is enough room for when the mare gives birth.

yes it is necessary for straw, but i dont really remember how many weeks you need it, suggest talking to a local trainer or breeder in your area and they'll give you a list of things you'll need and for how long.

good luck.

Answer 4

It's ok to let the mare foal on sawdust.  Ideally I like straw put on top of sawdust, it's just easier to clean the stall if all you have to do is take out all the straw.  That way you still have a soft surface on top that's not as messy as sawdust, but still have the extra cushion of the sawdust in the stalls.  The big breeding facility I worked at did their stalls with about six inches of sawdust on the bottom and a couple of bales of straw on the top when the mare was a couple days from foaling, otherwise the stall was sawdust.

Answer 5

It is always better to bed them on straw because shavings get all stuck to them because of the birth juices and it is harder for the mum to wash them afterwards.

Straw is also more comfortable and provides a nice area for the foal to land on as it comes out as most of the time, mared givebirth standing up.

All you can do is make sure she has a nice deep bed of straw in a large stable because she will do alot of getting up and lying back down again becuse she will be restless and uncomfortable so make sure she also have very high banks as you dont want her rolling and getting stuck between the bed and the wall because it will make it very difficult to foal and very uncomfortable.

make sure the whole floor is covered, most of the time when you bed them you leave a bit of bare floor where the door opens but if you do this and she lies down on it, it will be uncomfortable so cover the whole floor.

Finally leave her, she wont want an audience and will probably give birth during the night because she will feel safer.

You can however put up a camera in her stable and watch her but make sure it is well lighten because she will be able to see what she is doing and it will be easia for the vet if you have to call him out.

Good luck, im sure the foal will be beautiful.