Page 44 • FEBRUARY 2012 • PACIFIC COAST JOURNAL Here comes Baby!
Prepare for the new arrival with last-minute preparations
and an on-hand foaling kit. Courtesy of America’s Horse Daily The months of planning and waiting are about
to pay off for breeders around the world – their mares are preparing to deliver the next generation of champions. If this is your first time, or if you need a few refresher tips take this advice from Dr. Ben Espy on things to keep in mind.
Getting Mama Ready 1. Watch her figure. It’s pretty common to feel sorry for the mother-to-be as she grows larger, but it is best for her health to keep off the pounds. Don’t give in to feeding her more until she begins lactating in her final few months. “Foaling is an athletic event, and it’s really
critical that these mares are in good shape,” Dr. Espy says. “It’s very well-respected in the repro- ductive and nutritional communities that pregnant mares only need the same amount of calories as a non-pregnant mare or gelding up until the last three months of gestation.” When you do increase the feed, it should be
about 1.2 to 1.3 times the amount of calories as a non-pregnant mare, preferably in the form of fat calories instead of an increase in carbohydrates.
2. Boost Immunity. At 30 days out fromher foaling date, the mare should be dewormed with a dose of ivermectin and a dose of pyrantel. The combination is used to combat intestinal parasites that are resist- ant to one of the dewormers; there doesn’t seem to be a population resistant to both. A Caslick proce- dure done to the mare should be removed. Also at that time, give the mare all the vaccines you want the foal vaccinated for – the baby will acquire the antibodies when he takes his first drink of colostrum after birth. It will be safer for both hors- es, and it’ll save you money – “you can vaccinate
two horses for the cost of just the mare,” Dr. Espy says.
3. Be Prepared. Most foalings happen so fast that a vet won’t have time to arrive if there is an emergency, so don’t expect him to be able to provide live assistance. Most veterinary assis- tance that produces a normal foal will come over the phone. Prepare by watching videos, reading books and talking to your vet about what a normal birth looks like, and know how to deal with emergencies, such as a red bag emergency. Figure out and write down your mare’s normal vital signs at rest. If she begins to colic or have other problems after birth, you will need to be able to differentiate between what’s normal and what’s not for your mare.
Suggested Foaling Kit • Cell phone: To make calls and – if it’s a mul- tipurpose phone – take photos, video, surf the Web or post instant blog updates. • Contact information: Vet’s phone number, someone who can help in an emergency. • Notebook and pen or dry-erase board: To take notes and keep track of intervals and record normal vital signs. • Flashlight and batteries: If there isn’t adequate lighting in the barn. • Three clean beach towels: In case you need to help clean up the foal. • Self-adhesive wrap: Enough to wrap the mare’s tail up before she foals. Braid the tail, fold it in half, then wrap from the base of the tail down to the bottom – but if you choose to wrap the tail, remove it as soon as possi- ble as it can cause the mare to slough her tail. • Ivory soap: Use to wash mare’s perineal area and udder. • Two enemas: Use to help relieve foal’s constipa- tion so that he can pass meconium (first manure). Hospitals may donate expired human enema bags that have to be thrown away anyway, or enemas
can be purchased at a grocery store or pharmacy. • Five to 10 obstetric sleeves and exam gloves: In case you have to assist in a difficult foaling. Get them from your veterinarian. • Dilute clorhexidine: To dip the umbilical stump. Put in a shot glass or film container and use it to dip the naval. • Lubrication: To lubricate an enema or if you have to assist the mare. Check with your veterinar- ian for a recommended amount, up to a gallon. • Twine: Have two or three feet of string or twine available in case the mare doesn’t immediately release the placenta, to keep her from stepping on it.
Continued on page 46......
EQUINE REPRODUCTIVE SERVICES Frozen
Semen...freezing/
storage...insemination Cooled
Semen...shipping/
processing...insemination Artificial Insemination
Mare/Stallion Management • Phantom Training Fred Haskin, D.V.M.
MOBILE EQUINE CLINIC, INC. • P.O. BOX 1356 • ELK GROVE, CA 95759 916-687-8803
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