FROM birth to sales takes only six to eight months so it is a very intensive time. The ultimate aim is to produce Sea The Stars!

That starts with the well-being of the mare, not only her pedigree, but management and veterinary care, particularly in the final trimester. To quote Roy Keane, “Fail to prepare, prepare to fail!”

DAILY CHECKLIST

  • Check the mare daily for discharge from the vulva. Nowadays when we leave mares out all winter, it is very easy to miss so lift the rug and check daily. Check if the mare is bagging up, it is a bad sign if she is bagging up too early.
  • Regular worming is vital. Give the correct vaccinations regularly, the foal gains from passive receipt. Vaccinate four to six weeks before foaling for maximum effect. You should be vaccinating against influenza, EHV and rotavirus if it is a problem in your area.
  • At foaling, colostrum should ideally be sticky, yellow, honey-like substance, but you can buy a tester moderately priced and it is worthwhile to check the quality of the colostrum. Make your own colostrum bank, as it is always very difficult to get. Take 300-400ml from the first mare and put it in your own freezer.
  • There should never be an unattended foaling, never!
  • In the first stage of foaling, the mare will be pawing the ground and uneasy. This can last for hours or even days.
  • The second stage is the actual birthing process. There will be 20 minute contractions and the breaking of waters.
  • Check the presentation of the foal, if it is not normal, get the veterinary surgeon to the mare or the mare to the veterinary surgeon. If the presentation is correct, remember that the foal cannot cope with force and it is so easy to fracture the ribs, so carefully pull, always with the contractions. Guide the foal out, don’t pull, once the legs are out, make sure it is a slow process down, so the cord is not ruptured.
  • The expulsion of the placenta should occur within one to two hours. If it has not been expelled within six hours, you must get a veterinary surgeon, as retention can lead to laminitis.
  • Know the normal parameters for newborns. Suckling will be within an hour maximum, they should be standing by one hour.
  • The neo-natal period is 72 hours. If using a baby bottle to feed, be very careful. So many foals get pneumonia because the milk went down the wrong way into the lungs. If the foal survives the first 72 hours, it is already well ahead, there are a battery of diseases in the first 72 hours.
  • Ensure the foal passes meconium. A phosphate enema (for humans) can be bought in any pharmacy and as soon as the foal starts to strain, administer the enema to lubricate and help.
  • The cord should be cleansed once a day for a week.
  • IgG testing should be routine at eight to 12 hours, it won’t break the bank and is negligible compared to covering fees, etc. If it is found to be insufficient at 24 hours, it can be achieved through plasma transfusion.
  • The healthy foal should have immediate exercise. If born at 2am, take them out first thing in the morning. It helps the foal to get rid of the meconium and helps the mare to get rid of fluids.
  • Assess confomation at the three to four weeks stage. Ensure daily careful and correct handling.
  • The worming programme can begin at four weeks. If you feel you may have a problem with contamination in your pasture, it can be cheaper to have a faecal egg count than increasing the worming programme without being sure.
  • Rhodococcus equi can be treated, but it is much more affective when detected early. From one month of age, careful observation of your foal will make a difference in early detection. You will see if it coughs or if it is not thriving. You must treat at the earliest possible stage.

    • Information on this page was supplied by the ITBA