Although foaling time is months away, it's the time when horse owners begin making plans for the foaling season.
Before going any further. Stop! Think about what you are considering along with all the ramifications, not only of your situation, but the situations of horses everywhere.
Are you truly prepared to take on another horse to care for and feed. Do you have the resources to provide the foal with the necessary training, nutrition, and exercise necessary for a healthy life?
Currently, the American Horse Council estimates that approximately 9.2 million horses are living in the United States. Of these, approximately 170,000 are "unwanted," and suitable homes are not available for them. Most unwanted horses become so for one or more of the following reasons:
When breeding your mare it is also important to know everything possible about the stallion. Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) also known as Taylorella equigenitalis and outbreaks of Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) underscore the importance of doing diligent homework when choosing a stallion.
If, after thoroughly considering your situation and the quality of life you offer a new foal, you make the decision to breed your mare, work toward the best possible situation for all concerned.
Although your mare’s foaling date may be months away, there are a few things to think about and do right now to assure a healthy mare and foal next spring.
In early pregnancy, a mare doesn’t need any particular boost to her nutrition, as the fetus is very small and does not significantly increase the mare’s feed requirements.
It is as she enters the last trimester, that the mare will probably need additional high-quality hay and grain. Feeding a fortified feed designed for late-pregnant mares should give the broodmare the nutrients she requires.
If the mare has been grazing fescue pastures, removing her to a fescue-free area during the last trimester of pregnancy will eliminate most of the problems associated with this forage. Be sure the mare’s hay does not contain fescue, as the dried plants can still contain the endophyte that causes thickened placentas, delayed or difficult delivery, and absence of milk.
sSchedule farrier visits on a regular basis to maintain the mare's hooves and feet in good condition. If she’s uncomfortable, she may not be able to move around well enough to graze, get plenty of water, and find shelter. Correcting hoof problems at this stage of pregnancy is preferable to waiting until the mare is so heavy that it’s hard for her to stand on three legs for farrier care.
For a home foaling, think about the site and make necessary preparations. Whether you prefer a paddock, stall, or special foaling suite, the site will need to be as clean as possible. In most cases, a foaling stall should be somewhat larger than an ordinary stall. If you need to remove existing partitions or do some new construction, it’s time to get started.
If the mare is going to foal at a different location, make plans to move her a month or two before her expected foaling date. This avoids problems associated with weather or the possibility of an unexpected early foaling.
The mare also needs time to settle into her new quarters and develop specific antibodies to whatever microbes are found at the foaling site. These antibodies will be passed to the foal through the mare’s colostrum and are critical to the newborn’s health.
Regardless of where the foaling will take place, consult a veterinarian about when the mare should have her last vaccinations, and make an appointment for her to receive those that she needs. Booster vaccinations are usually given at around 10 months of pregnancy to ensure the production of colostral antibodies.
As the mare’s delivery date gets closer, owners will need to assemble some experienced helpers, a list of phone numbers for veterinarians, and supplies like disinfectant for the umbilical cord. Having some chores out of the way ahead of time will give expectant owners peace of mind before the big day.