What is involved with the birth of a foal and what do you have to do ??

Question

Hi eveyone , I think there are way to many horses that end up at the slaghter house so I am wanting to save a couple . so what is involed with the mare in birth and what does it meen when she gets waxy ?? I have been around horses all my life but never had to deal with a mare in-foal so what are the steps what to inclued in there diet I would never breed as I think there are to many horses out there that need saving instead of breeding I am Resuceing a few so please any links of infomation and any videos would be apperiacted thanks Kelly

oh also what are the vet needs during the brith and the 11 months she is in foal how much will it cost aproxx all up $$$ ??? and what does the foal needs as in vet needs ect after birth thanks

Answer 1

The mare gets wax around her teats when she is close to foaling, I've had them wax up for 2 or 3 days before they foal. Sometimes they start to drip colostrum ( its like a kickstarter for the foal, full of antibodies for their immune system) this is nothing to worry about. I have delivered hundreds of foals, most times there is no vet needed. The greatest percentage of foals are born with no one even there. If the mare has not had any foals before its a good idea to keep a close eye on them, they sometimes have trouble, they should come out head and front legs first, (if not a vet is a good idea) if the mare seems to be getting tired break the bag and pull it away from the foals nose and mouth, grab its front legs, not near the joints or you can damage them, between the fetlock and the knee and pull, give it all you've got. Ive done this many many times. sometimes they get 1 front leg caught up, if you get on to this early enough its not a problem, just reach in and straighten it, but if its stuck 2 long it can cause major complications. probably the best idea is just to watch her, check when she starts to foal, for two little hooves and a nose and all shold be well, even if you have to help her a little. If you have a little backside comong out or back legs or only 1 front leg give the vet a ring. Foals don't survive very long if there are complications with the birth.

After the foal is born you may need to help it get a drink, if the mum is experienced it wont be too much trouble, if she is a first time mum it may be harder, her teats will be sore because they are swollen, in the past I have lead the mare over to a barn wall or similar so she cant spin away and held a front leg up so she cant try to kick at the foal, you may need to strap her front leg up, she will feel much better when the foal has had a drink it will relieve a lot of pressure from her bag. You might need to do this a few times until she gets the hang of it. Also you need to check that the foal does poos in the first 24hrs, It will be discusting looking black gooey stuff, If it has'nt you need a vet. they can have a blockage in their bowel (babies are the same, nurses wait eagerly and ask you to keep the first pooey nappy to show them) It must'nt be too comon but can happen apparently.

You can buy all sorts of feeds specialy for mares in foal, please yourself if you want to use them or not, I dont think they make a lot of difference. As long as she is well fed she should be fine, you need to give them more than a horse that is not in foal. Same amount of hay or chaff or whatever you feed is fine, but more oats or pellets or completo or whatever you use. Also keep the feed up to her for as long as she is feeding her baby.

Hope this is some help.

Answer 2

Here is a great link that explains everything...

http://www.horses-and-horse-information....