how big does a mare and foal box need to be?

Answer 1

The 'foaling box' should ideally be 4mx4m for a 500kg mare.
The box should be bedded down deeply, preferably with clean wheat straw.
It is best to acclimatise the mare to the box ideally for at least 4 weeks prior to foaling.

Ideally what is needed for the mare is a large foaling box preferably with the corners blocked off, heat lamps (especially for early foals) light and CCTV (for monitoring the mare without disturbing her). It is also a good idea to have foaling equipment close at hand for when the mare does foal. This would include the following:

Head collar and tail bandage – to put on the mare just before foaling.
Purple spray or iodine – to treat the umbilical cord stump to prevent infection.
Enema – helps to prevent meconium retention (see your vet for advice on this)
Baler twine – to tie up the afterbirth before the mare has properly cleansed.
Colostrum and Milk replacer, bottles and teats – just in case!
Vets telephone number – in case of an emergency.
Warm water and towel – cold wet hands are not nice!
Other items can be added to this basic list if you feel they are necessary.

The foaling box must also be ready with a good deep bed of clean straw. This must have been disinfected first.

Every mare is different: - some give you very clear signs that they are going to foal others do not.

Answer 2

You will need a fairly large foaling stall with a really good, deep, straw bed. The ideal foaling stall is circular. Invariably, the mare will often try to foal when jammed in a corner, and a circular stall eliminates this problem. If this isn't possible, the stall should be at least 12 x 12 feet (preferrably bigger), so the mare has room to move easily and lay down if necessary. There should also be enough room for a vet if necessary. Be sure to have a way to monitor the foaling process without disturbing the mare.

Answer 3

Ideally give the mare as much room as you can but a minimum would be about 20' x 16' for a 16hh mare for example, that was the size of the foaling box I had for my 16.2hh TB mare a few years back. A Shetland mare could most likely cope in a smaller box!

Answer 4

Ours was 40 by 50. However, I have seen foaling pens of 20 by 20 to 25 by 40. It all depends.

I wouldn't go any less than 15 by 20. My opinion as the foal and mare need movable space and comfortably.

Answer 5

Average size is double a regular stall, which would be 12x24. You could go smaller, but the smaller you go the more chance that the mare would accidently step on the foal. An arabian breeder I knew had one in a 10x 16 and she stepped on the foal and permenently injured it's knee. so bigger is better.

Answer 6

well definatly bigger that a normal 10x12 stall. im thinkin of it being at least twice the size like at least 16 wide by 20 long or bigger. there has to be room for the horse to laydown flat and the foal to have room to walk around . also you might need some extra space incase you need to get in there and help deliver.

Answer 7

Sorry.. I have no idea what you are talking about.. I have never heard of a foal box

Answer 8

Big enough for them to both lie down comfortably-and for you and at least one other person to enter in should she need help giving birth. It definitely needs to be roomier than just a regular stall.

Answer 9

hi it needs to at least 16ft by 16ft. xxxxx

Answer 10

big enough to mate