i found out today that my mare is pregnant. She's due in about 30-45 days. What's the best advice to know?

Question

I've never been around a foal, my parents haven't. How do we raise it? What are the best vitamins? What are the best signs to look for? The vet has explained a lot to us and is sending us a ton of articles to read but I would just like to know everything you guys know!

PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer 1

Wow! This is very exciting, but also quite scary. My parents breed show horses and my dad is a vet, but I must say that all the experience has really just taught us how much there still is to learn!

First, I'm sure the vet has gone over this, but you MUST look into nutrition, vaccinations, and parasite control! I know this sounds strange, but nutrition is really the MOST important for both mare and foal. Yet, we hear so much about iseases and parasites that it is often overlooked. Also, nutrition won't do your mare much good if she can't digest it, so make sure her teeth are in good shape! This is also often overlooked -- even by the most experienced of horse keepers!

Have your vet and/or local experienced horse people help you set up a foaling stall (unless you have a really clean, safe pasture -- statistically speaking, this seems to be even better...) Then, prepare yourself for foaling by learning what a normal birth looks like. This is a really good site: http://education.vetmed.vt.edu/Curriculum/VM9124/Diagnostics/marefoaling.htm You need to know what a normal birth looks like so you can be aware of what to watch out for when the baby comes! Your vet should help you get ready when the time comes.

As for how to raise your new horse, that's a bit too complicated for an internet answer. I would highly recommend enlisting the help of more experienced horse people. A local trainer or breeder would probably do consultations with you for a small fee (this is not a common practice, but it probably should be), or you might even find someone who wants to guide you along -- my mom is a total sucker for locals who want advice on "bringing up baby." I'm also a big fan of imprint training (a misnomer, but oh well) -- check out this web site: http://www.robertmmiller.com/imprint-training.html

A few of the most important things to remember about training your new baby:
1) Anytime you are around a horse you are training it, for better or worse -- this is ESPECIALLY true for a foal
2) It's a horse, not a puppy! I know, they're cute, but they can also be really dangerous and need to know that you are the "alpha horse"
3) Take advantage of the first two weeks -- this is the ONLY time in the horse's life when you will be stronger than it! You can start teaching him to lead (and do lots of other stuff, read up on imprint training) during this time and you'll be ahead of the game!
4) You WILL make mistakes. Lots of them. I still make lots of mistakes, but I constantly analyze my own behavior and seek out advice so that I don't keep repeating mistakes. Remember that there is ALWAYS more to learn -- horses are a great example of the "the more you know, the more you know you need to learn" principle.

Good luck and have fun! I don't want to post my email on here, but I'm totally up for answering more specific questions (I'm new to this an have no idea how you can get in touch with me...maybe you know?)

Please forgive any typos, I'm not in a proof-reading mood...

Answer 2

Since this is your first time, I would reccommend this. Ask your vet if there is a broodmare farm nearby that foals out mares. Contact them and arrange to have your mare there when she foals. These people are experts in this field and you will have a better chance of getting a healthy foal on the ground with less trauma to your mare. They know what to look for and what to do in a difficult birth, that you may not even see and not know when or what to call the vet for. And some mares can get really flipped out if it is a first foal and not let them nurse, etc. Again, the broodmare farm will know how to handle this. There are a lot of things that can go wrong and if you have never been around this kind of thing, i would say get all of the expert help you can. Good Luck!

Answer 3

It is best that when she gets closer to her due date, about a week away, that you get a camera and hook it up to a TV in your house that you can monitor for any signs that she is going into labor. Its very important that you are there and ready to help her with the baby and make sure it is not a breech baby, its feet and head must come out the the same time if they dont there could be some serious risks including loss of the foal. Make sure you dont interfere too much after the baby is born but you can wipe off the foals face with a towel and cut the umbilicol cord. Make sure it is breathing and everything is fine. If all is well still wait awhile until you leave, just for precautions and i would suggest keeping the camera up for at least another week.

Answer 4

If she is a first time foaling mare, just be aware of her and her actions as much as possible, mammals are natural "birthers" so 90% of the time everything goes just as planned. Dont change your mares feeding routine to much, but give her a scoop of grain morning and night, you can add any supplements that you can afford, ask a local feed store, or your vet what they would recommend. When the baby is born, you can watch to see when he/she starts to bug momma to eat some of her grain, and you can put a seperate tub in and give the baby some too. The baby will get the best nutrition through momma's milk so make sure you keep her good and fat and healthy with plenty of clean water.

Answer 5

Have a vet on call and have a nice birthing place. Clean, quiet, and away from other horses. She should be fine, but when they foal, you always want to be prepared in case something happens. Just watch if possible and try not to intervene unless necessary. Watch her closely around her due date and when you start to see signs of contractions, call your vet and let him know. Just so he is not out of town or something in case an emergency arises. She should be fine though. Make sure to feed her well and make sure she has PLENTY of clean water.

Answer 6

You need to spend time with her when it gets close to due date. She will lay down alot and when she just lays around then you need to stay with her until she has the colt so you can keep the mare calm if all possible to make sure the colt comes oout ok and to help if Mom needs your help. Mom will let you know if she needs help but please make sure Mom stays laying down when giving birth so colt doesn't fall to ground when comming out.