Falabella mare expecting 2009 foal?

Question

I have a mare and it is her first time foaling. It is my first time with a mare giving birth, and I need reccomendations on mare and foal feed. Also, some tips on birth in general would be nice. I am nervous and regretting buying a mare when its her and my first time!! but i would NEVER be able to sell her!! shes too sweet. Help me!

Answer 1

Get yourself a copy of the book Blessed Are The Broodmares. It has great information on mare care, foaling, etc...

You might also want to see if there are any local miniature horse breeders near to you. Ask them if they would assist you if you needed it. You may also want to see if you can help them with their own mare watches, so that you get first hand experiance before your foal is born.

Anyway: in general you can feed her the same feed that she is on. As she progresses through her pregnacy you can incresse the amounts of feed slowly. Give her free choice hay and plently of grass. Fresh water daily is a must. You will also need to keep up with her vetting, farrier, gooming, etc.

Here are some links to site with information on foaling. They are mini sites. But work just the same for a fabella.

http://www.unicornerfarm.com/library.htm

http://www.americanminiaturehorse.com/fo...

http://www.mini-horse.org/health_care_fo...

http://www.lilbeginnings.com/info/breedi...

http://www.lilbeginnings.com/info/breedi...

Answer 2

Even though yours is a small horse...this website has good information and some photos to look at.  There are 2 pages, so make sure you click the link at the bottom of the first page...to get to the second.

http://www.horseweb-uk.com/features/preg...

You also need to get a foaling kit together.  Many examples can be found online.  Simply type in 'foaling kits'

Have your vet's number readily available.  Having a cell phone WITH you...if you plan on camping in the stable hoping to catch the birth.  Or a cordless phone.  You will lose precious time running to the house to call a vet...if one is needed.

You should also look up what kind of things would require a vet call.  You MUST know these!  Because if you don't...the life of the foal and the mare is in danger.  Not joking or exaggerating.  Certain things are life threatening.

Like...

1.  red bag birth

2.  dystocia...stalled labor when contractions cease before foal is born.

3.  No foal born within 30 minutes of mare pushing

4.  Foal 'presentation' is wrong.  Could be breech or other positions.  You need to KNOW what the 'correct' thing to see is as the foal is being born.  It should be two FRONT feet and legs.  One ahead of the other.  The hooves should also be pointing toward the ground.  Then you HAVE to see a nose come out next.  Anything else...and you have an emergency vet call happening.  Read up on these things.

5.  Retained placenta in mare

The above things I gave you all require immediate vet intervention.  You would need to open a 'red bag' before a vet had time to get there...or your foal will die.  Read about this and know WHAT it is and WHAT it looks like!!  [and what YOU need to do]

DO NOT pull the placenta/afterbirth from the mare.  It should come out on it's own within 1-4 hours.  If not...call your vet. This is life threatening to your mare.  You need to put it in a garbage bag so the vet can examine it when he comes to check out your mare and foal.  He will determine if it 'all' came out.

This is just a few things...please do some research and be as ready as you can.  It's better to HAVE something...and not need it.  Than to NEED it...and not have it.