When your horse gives birth, you face the challenge of caring for her newborn cubs. The task is not easy and should not be taken lightly. However, the time and effort spent ensuring that the foal grows, develops, and adjusts to the person and environment appropriately will be well worth the time spent with it.
Step
Step 1. Prepare yourself
Read this article and ask your veterinarian any questions you have about foals. Gather and provide the equipment you will need. Watch your horse so you can accompany him when he gives birth.
Step 2. Learn the foal's longest "healthy" period of time (contact your vet if the foal is taking longer):
- The foal must stand within an hour of birth.
- Foals should start breastfeeding within two hours of birth.
- Foals should have a bowel movement within three hours of birth.
Step 3. Wipe the foal's nostrils with a clean, soft towel
This step is the first thing to do with a newborn foal.
Step 4. Wait for the umbilical cord to break, then soak the umbilicus (navel) in a low concentration of Betadine solution for 1 or 2 minutes
You can do this using a clean tin or small paper cup. This step should be done as soon as possible to prevent bacteria from entering the foal's stomach.
Don't cut the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord must be severed after the horse is born, or it must be severed with the help of the mother. If the umbilical cord does not break within 10 minutes, contact your veterinarian for further instructions
Step 5. Start caring for the foal
Start by gently cleaning any "open" parts of his body (ears, mouth, nostrils, rectum, etc.) with your hands. This step is the start of the foal building trust and a relationship with you, something that will pay off in the long run.
Step 6. Allow the foal to nurse once it is able to stand
The most important aspect of a newborn foal is making sure that the foal starts feeding once it is able to stand and walk.
- The foal should be standing within an hour and feeding within two hours of birth. If the foal does not do so within that time, contact the vet.
- The mother's first milk contains colostrum. Colostrum is rich in antibodies that foals need for a strong immune system to fight disease. Before giving birth, make sure that the mother horse receives the latest vaccinations it needs.
- Colostrum consumption should be done within the first 24 hours after the foal is born because this period is the only time the foal's stomach is able to absorb and process the antibodies. Without colostrum, foals will be susceptible to many diseases, especially upper respiratory tract viruses (Flu, Rhino, and others).
- Most foals have no trouble suckling, as long as the mother horse is tolerant of her young. Contact your veterinarian if you have any questions regarding whether the foal is breastfeeding properly or not.
- If it consumes little or no colostrum, the foal must receive an intravenous infusion of antibody-rich plasma to get the antibodies it needs. Once the vet determines that the antibodies are present, the foal will begin its life relatively free of disease.
Step 7. Schedule a foal checkup with your veterinarian
Foals should be examined by a veterinarian within 1-2 days of birth. The mother must also be examined at the same time. The vet will be able to determine if the foal has sufficient antibodies with a simple blood test that can usually be done on the spot.
Step 8. Find a good shelter for the newborn foal and its mother
Open meadows with shelter are ideal conditions. This gives the foal room to run and move which is important for the early development of its muscles and body.
- The pasture should be protected by a good fence (a non-climbable wire fence is recommended) to prevent the foal (and/or mother horse) from escaping or becoming trapped in the fence and serious injury.
- This gives the foal the opportunity to start exploring grass and other plants which will help it develop its digestive system as it approaches its weaning time (usually 5-6 months old).
Step 9. Plan the vaccination
If the mother horse has received the latest vaccinations, the foals do not need to be vaccinated until they are 3-4 months old. The most common foal vaccines are 4-way (viral encephalitis, tetanus and flu). Depending on the environment, rhino, west nile, and strangle vaccines may also be given during this period. Vaccine (booster injection) should be re-administered 3-4 weeks after initial vaccination.
Step 10. Give the foal deworming medicine
According to environmental conditions (cage, pasture, care), foals should be dewormed at 3-4 weeks of age. Your veterinarian may also perform an analysis of the foal's faeces to determine the type and number (if any) of the internal parasites.
Step 11. Continue to interact with the foal as it grows
The more time you spend taking care of the foal (getting it used to having its legs lifted, putting on and removing the horse's collar, and generally being touched), the better your experience will be in the long run. In the future, you can also read many books related to how to train foals.
Step 12. Have fun with the foal
Take time for you and the foal to get to know and trust each other. This will lay the foundation for a long-term, happy relationship.
