JUNE 2021 THE RIDER /27 ^Between The Ears^ development and behavior in foals The first 24 hours of critical


suckle reflex within the first 30 minutes of their life and you can test this by touching the foal’s muzzle with a fin- ger and the foal should seek to suckle on it. I have writ- ten previously about the harm that the popular proce- dure or ‘foal imprinting causes’ and these tactics add to the risk of the mares’ re- jecting their foals. It’s im- portant to not interfere with the bonding between Mare and foal.


The first two hours - Within an hour, or two


By Ellie Ross Foaling is such an in-


credible experience but cer- tainly one that can go sideways in a hurry, espe- cially if you are not familiar with what is normal. The list below is a timeline of criti- cal events of the first 24 hours and normal behaviour characteristics of newborn foals. This does not reflect the mare’s behaviour. De- tecting a problem early can often be the difference be- tween survival and death.


30 seconds - 2 minutes - Your foal should draw


its first breath. You may see some clear fluid coming from the foal’s nose and its first few breaths may be a bit irregular. This is normal. Breaths will be around 60 per minute as the foal in- flates its lungs and regulates its breathing. If the foal is not breathing within 2 min- utes you will need to inter- vene. Be sure there are no membranes over the nos- trils. Rub the foal with a towel to try to stimulate it and if that doesn’t get them breathing, you may have to administer breaths to your foal by covering one nostril and breathing into the other. It is always a good idea to be well informed on what and how to do these things before the foal is born so be sure to ask your veterinarian well in advance of the big day.


5 minutes - Foals instinctively try


to stand within a few min- utes of being born. A foal that doesn’t right itself onto its chest within 30 minutes or attempt to right itself with 2-5 minutes, is cause for concern. Foals should be able to maintain themselves on their chest while laying down. A newborn foal re- maining on its side is one that is going to require im- mediate intervention. A few minutes following birth, be sure to check the foals gums, which will be quite pale at birth. The colour should progress to a healthy pink in colour, moist not tacky or dry and when you press and release on the gums, the blood flow (capil- lary refill time) should re- turn in 1-2 seconds. Gums that are more than a few


minutes old that are any- thing but pink are a sign of trouble. Your foal will be aware of lights, sounds and touch. The first whinny is coming soon!


Within 30 Minutes - Foals should exhibit a


ing. You should not allow more than 4 hours to pass without nursing. Try to re- sist the temptation to show the foal where the milk bar is unless absolutely neces- sary. Don’t be fooled by the position or the sounds of a


at the very most, a foal should be standing and nurs-


nursing foal - check to en- sure it has fully latched on. Heart rate will be around 60-80 beats per minute and can climb higher in the first hour.


5-11 Hours - This is where Colts


and Fillies differ. New born colts should pass their first urine within the first 6 hours and often don’t drop their penises. Fillies take longer and typically pass their first urine at 8-11 hours. You will want to ensure the foal’s navel is dipped in an anti- septic solution. If the naval doesn’t close properly or gets infected, you will see urine dripping from it and this can occur days follow- ing foaling. Your foal should be mobile and nursing with- out assistance. Sometimes foals can be born with con- tracted tendons or other limb abnormalities, which will require medical treat- ment and/or splinting. Most leg deformities straighten themselves out in time.


Within 24 hours - Your foal should pass


its first poop, which will be meconium and appear as dark pellets. If your foal has not passed this or appears to be straining, you should consult your veterinarian who may have to assist and likely administer a fleet enema. This is usually all that is needed to provide re- lief but if discomfort contin- ues, your foal will need further veterinary attention. Foals can go downhill


rather quickly and so it is never advisable to take the ‘wait and see approach’ with a foal. Quick intervention is often what is essential in their ability to overcome whatever challenges they may face. You may have heard


the term ‘dummy foal syn- drome’ and this is often mis- taken as a tired foal. Healthy foals are not tired looking! Symptoms of Dummy foal syndrome are sleepiness, ataxia, lack of interest, lick- ing walls, circling, odd vo- calizations, sensitive to being touched and even seizures. One of the most successful


treatments of DFS is to apply the Madigan


Foal Squeeze procedure. Studies have shown that ap- proximately


80% of


Dummy Foals survive when provided the correct care and intervention. Most foals are born intervention or


without


problems but recognizing what is not normal is often key to averting bad out- comes or more extensive treatment. The most com- mon misjudgement made is that the foal is tired. It is es-


Photo Credit of the splinted foal - Janet Rowe ‘Forest Gump’ Foal on gurney is ‘Miss Kitty’ -


timated that about 1/2 of foals that died, died within the first 48 hours. Approxi- mately 3% of foals born will have fatal outcomes. The good news is that 97% are fine!


Sauvignon Blanc


Pouring a bright straw this is aromatic with


notes of spices, nuts, herbs,


grapefruit and pear; the palate is


light-plus, extra-dry and flavourful with hints of lees, nuts, grapefruit and light florals followed


by a subtle finish.


LCBO #471318 $12.95


www.eurovintage.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50