Persicus Equine Veterinary Services

21/03/2023

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Post foaling guidelines

20/03/2023

Happy first day of spring

19/03/2023

*** it’s that time of the year again**

Preparation for a Normal Foaling
Foaling is a very exciting time which is more than just anxiously watching the start of a new life. It is the fruit of months or even years of planning and anticipation. The anxiety reaches its peak as soon as the mare goes into labor and a tiny hoof makes its appearance, followed by another, then the nose, the neck, shoulders, and finally in a rush, the rest of the body.
While most of the foalings are straightforward and uncomplicated (normal foaling rates of as high as 95% or even higher have been reported!!!); unfortunately, it still can go wrong, and a potentially extraordinary experience turns into an absolute nightmare. Even when a foal survives the explosive event of foaling, up to 10-11% of all mortality rate in neonatal stages may be due to trauma, or complications that occur at birth.
It is important to note once advance signs of labor begin and the mare’s water breaks, often the foal would be on the ground in 30 minutes–45 minutes. Of course it might sound like not a long time to some, but the actual window of opportunity to recognize potential problems is only a small fraction of this time frame!!! The potential problem is by the time horse owner or caretaker realizes something has gone wrong, there can often be a delay in the arrival of or access to professional help and little time left to correct the problem before potentially more serious or irreversible damage might be done to both mare and foal.
Therefore, in preparation for foaling, it is paramount for the mare owner or caretaker to have a reasonable understanding of foaling.

Understanding the Fundamentals of a NORMAL foaling:
Weeks before getting close to foaling (~4 weeks), the foal’s primary organs are all fully developed and rapidly maturing. The foal is floating in the amniotic sac within the placenta and is getting nutrition and oxygen via the umbilical cord, which continue to be the foal’s lifeline until the foal has been delivered.
At about a week prior to birth, the foal has grown to the point where it has little room to move within the uterus. A transabdominal ultrasound exam of pregnant mares at this point shows a foal that is upside down often with the front end of the foal positioned closer to the mare's pelvis. During the final hours prior to delivery (the stage one of foaling), the foal will rotate until it is in the correct position for delivery with front feet and nose moving up into the birth canal in a sort of diving position.
As the mare gets closer to foaling, she will go through two basic stages of labor. During the “first stage” (earlier stage that is often hours prior to delivery of the foal) she often is restless and agitated; may paw at her bedding and lie down and get up frequently. These are good signals for the owner or attendant to be on the alert as the second stage of labour can follow at any time. Unfortunately, the exact time frame between the start of these behavioural changes of restlessness and agitation varies substantially between different mares (breed, age, previous foalings, …) and has not been determined. However, if there is a long period of time between the onset of discomfort and the breaking of the water to signal the start of the second stage, recording it could help you recognize potential trouble.
When all goes well the mare’s distress and level of discomfort will increase as contractions increase in frequency and severity, and soon will be the start of serious labor with the breaking of water (second stage of foaling). Normally, most of the mares will lie on their side to facilitate the foal’s passage through the birth canal.
To better understand the relationship between the foal and its fetal membranes better, it may help imagine the foal wrapped in double bags. At this point the “outer sac” of the double bags containing the foal, is the actual placenta and should be still attached to the inner surface of the mare’s uterus and filled with its own fluid. The second layer (inner bag!) which is called the amniotic sac, is the one that is the translucent membrane we often see as the first membranes protruding at the time of foaling and contains the foal is also filled with fluid. When the foal enters the birth canal, it is still contained in this inner sac (Amniotic sac) and pushes its way through the outer sac at the cervix into the birth canal when the mare’s “water breaks” and the fluid between the placenta and the amniotic sac (outer layer of bags!!!) gushes out, lubricating the va**na. Shortly thereafter, with continuous contractions of the mare a translucent white “bubble” filled with fluid appears at the v***a. This sac, which surrounds the foal while it is still being delivered, will break on its own as well. Even if it doesn’t, there normally is little danger to the foal, because at this point the foal is still dependent on the umbilical cord for oxygen until it is delivered, and its chest can expand to breathe on its own.
preparations for foaling during last few weeks
It is prudent to communicate the expected due date with the attendants at the foaling barn and your veterinarian, and if a Caslick’s procedure has been done on the mare (stitching the v***a nearly closed to prevent contamination of the reproductive tract). A Caslick’s should be opened ~14 days prior to the anticipated due date. Tt is also the time to prepare the foaling stall if you foal your mare at home, and put together the items needed for a basic foaling kit.

A Normal Delivery in a Glance:
Here is a brief sequence of events that can determine whether you are facing a normal foaling once the mare is down, in labor and the water bag is bulging or broken:
first one foot,
then the other should make an appearance,
followed by the nose and head.
What to watch for!
During this stage of labour, once the first foot makes its appearance the attendant may carefully reach into the birth canal to determine whether the foal is in proper presentation (check the presence of a second foot and nose!!!). This information helps to make certain all is going well and normal. In a large size horse, usually the second leg should be easily detected ~15-20 cm inside the birth canal behind the first foot, and the nose often about the same distance behind the second foot. confirming this normal presentation gives peace of mind that one limb being slightly forward of the other allows only one shoulder passing through the birth canal at a time.
*** If that is the case, you may step back to watch and monitor the birth of your foal.
However, if you notice even one of the legs or the head is out of position, it is a clear indication that FOALING IS GOING WRONG and there is a problem. Do not delay asking for professional help!!!

26/12/2022

Merry Christmas everyone!

🎄 🐴 🎄

16/12/2022

Hello everyone,

Here’s some important information on why having your horses mouth examined once a year is so valuable.

Stay tuned as our dental special is in the works

CHEW ON THIS! Another valuable reminder about the importance of having a veterinarian check your horse’s teeth at least once a year, courtesy of AAEP horse doctor .christinestaten:

“Did you know that horses don’t really need their incisors to eat? Yep, even pasture. But if their incisors are a mess, it affects their ability to appropriately grind their food with their molars and pre-molars.

Dental work in horses is not just about floating teeth to get off points. It’s about balancing the mouth so that they can get the most nutrition out of their food without pain.

Shearing hay in the mouth is necessary to get the nutrition out. The guy in the picture was skinny because he could not move his jaw laterally enough to shear his food, but his health and body condition score improved significantly once the incisors were balanced.”

30/11/2022

***it’s coming to that time of year when we need to start preparing for the upcoming breeding season, especially if we’re wanting to start early***

PRACTICAL NOTES ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT FOR EARLY BREEDING OF MARES:

When to begin lighting?
This is one of the most important question that every body asks!
In general initiation by December 1st will have mares cycling in February and starting by November 15th will have mares cycling in January.
What Intensity?
Another frequently asked question is “How much light” is enough?’
Traditionally it was widely accepted that a plain ~150W incandescent bulb in a 12× 12-feet (3.6m× 3.6m) box stall is enough to elicit mares reproductive response (light intensities of about 108 LUX or 2250 Lumens). The problem is the fact that incandescent bulbs are taken away from the market because they are extremely energy inefficient! A modern LED light 27W (~2600 Lumens) may be a good choice to replace such incandescent light bulb.
Another practical point for light exposure is to have your mare confined to a space where she is never further than 7-8 feet (~2.5 m) from a light bulb source of ~3000 Lumens (LED light bulbs of 25-40 Watt or a 40 watt fluorescent bulb).
Light duration / Program?
“Traditional” programs for artificial lighting are designed to lengthened day program, also known as “Light in the evening only”; involved with a 2.5 hours of additional artificial light beginning at the time of sunset. The artificial lighting regime begins at sunset every evening and the time of ‘lights on’ is updated every week or so, to match the natural time of sunset as it changes.
“Pulse lighting” or the “French method” ( also known as Night interruption) involves a 1h duration of light at 9.5 to 10.5h after the onset of darkness. A timer can be set to turn the lights on at this time each night and turn off after the 1h period (conserves power consumption !!!).
Either one of the methods that you choose, would be effective. BUT it is very IMPORTANT that you make sure to provide equal and adequate amount of light to all areas of the confinement space (stall!).

Newer Technology:
LOW-INTENSITY BLUE LIGHT:
research in past decade ago has indicated that light within the short-wavelength spectrum was effective at inhibiting melatonin, which is particularly sensitive to short wavelength (the blue light).
A study in Thoroughbred mares showed that melatonin could be successfully inhibited using low-level blue light from a light emitting diode (LED) source.
One of more recent studies confirmed effectiveness of low-intensity, blue light administered to a single eye from head worn light masks (December 1st, delivering light from 4 pm to 10 pm daily) as an effective method as indoor maintenance under white light at advancing the breeding season in mares.

Today - the Low-intensity blue light to a single eye from a light mask is considered the light mask is equally as effective as stabling horses under lights to achieve:
early breeding success
timely gestation
healthy foal weights
sleek, shining show coats
Such mobile light therapy for horses is considered an economic option for the breeder by reducing the costs of maintaining mares indoors.

11/11/2022

31/10/2022

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

We hope everyone has a safe Halloween.

08/09/2022

* VANCOUVER ISLAND *

Hey everyone, we are planning a trip to Vancouver island, OCTOBER 19,20 to perform dentistry work. If you or any horsey friends are interested you can pm us for more information or email us at [email protected].

14/05/2022

Paton and Martin have said it so well. Adrian will be missed by all of us. Your compassion and respect for the job was always 10/10.

We are all wishing you the best in your retirement.
Thank you for always being so amazing

HAPPY RETIREMENT

20/04/2022

Good morning everyone, how was everyone’s Easter?

We have had a busy start to the foaling season and a lot more on the way.

We thought it would be fun to share photos, past and present, of your foals.

Please feel free to add a photo and a story of your foal in the comments below.

20/04/2022

April showers bring…

…the increased risk of your horse developing a skin condition like rain rot, a contagious bacterial skin disease (often mistaken for a fungal condition) called dermatophilosis which is caused by the bacterium "Dermatophilus congolensis.”

How does rain rot happen?

The organism responsible for rain rot lives in the outer layer of the skin; if the skin is compromised by too much moisture or cracks, or if the horse has a weaker immune system, it’s easier for the pathogen to activate and establish an infection that causes from pinpoint to large, crusty scabs (pro tip: Your horse will NOT thank you for picking at them!).

Why should you not mistake rain rot for a fungal disease?

Antifungal medications and topicals have no effect on the bacteria responsible for rain rot, therefore diagnosing the condition correctly is critical! If left untreated, the condition can even progress to a point where it opens the door for more serious, secondary skin infections. It’s also important to note that this organism is contagious and may be passed to other horses by tack, equipment or insects, therefore disinfection of equipment is vital to prevent spread.

If you suspect your horse has rain rot, be sure to consult your veterinarian on the best treatment plan. While there are a million over-the-counter products available, your horse doctor may have cause to prescribe a specific course of action based on the severity of your horse's case.

More information about rain rot and skin conditions can be found on our website at https://aaep.org/issue/summertime-skin-diseases

15/04/2022

We hope everyone has a fantastic weekend 🐴 💐

Dr. Maloufi is on call this weekend if you have an emergency.

15/04/2022

Another great read 👀 🐴 🌱

Foals thrive on the nutritionally rich spring grass, but adult horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) may develop pasture laminitis because sugars are high at this time. Clover and alfalfa in pastures are also dangerous to EMS animals as both sugar and starch can be high.

Multiple studies have documented that approximately 90% of laminitis cases are caused by elevated insulin and insulin elevations are the only predictor of which horses will develop laminitis. Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, Warmbloods, Quarterhorses and purebred Drafts are at low risk of EMS but may develop elevated insulin if they have PPID, aka Cushing’s Disease. Pregnant mares of any breed also become insulin resistant in the last half of pregnancy. Examples of breeds at high risk of EMS include ponies, minis, donkeys, Arabians, Morgans, Haflingers, Icelandics and Paso Finos.

Insulin blood tests will identify most horses at risk of pasture laminitis. If the horse has high insulin there is really no safe way to allow grazing these high-risk spring pastures, as it has been shown that horses given limited grazing time will eat as much as 3 times faster to make up for it.

Many people are understandably resistant to the idea of keeping their at-risk horses off pasture, but you have to ask yourself what would you rather have — grass access or laminitis and the smoldering damage it causes. The good news about EMS is that exercise is the best way to control it, so saddle up and you will probably be able to treat your Metabolic Syndrome horse to some grass after work!

As always, contact your veterinarian for more information and for any questions specific to your horse’s situation. To read more about spring grass, see: https://wp.me/p2WBdh-op . For detailed information on Equine Metabolic Syndrome and its diagnosis, visit: www.ecirhorse.org.

Thank you Dr. Eleanor Kellon Vmd for sharing these important facts about spring grass and horses affected by EMS!

10/04/2022

It’s !

Foaling season is in full swing and here are some useful tips to keep in mind as you work to raise your four-legged youngsters.

A healthy foal will grow rapidly, gaining in height, weight and strength almost before your very eyes. From birth to age 2, a young horse can achieve 90% or more of its full adult size, sometimes putting on as many as 3 pounds per day. The nutritional start a foal gets can have a profound effect on its health and soundness for the rest of its life. Research suggests that a balanced dietary approach, which supports no more than a moderate growth rate, is less likely to cause developmental problems like contracted tendons, epiphysitis, angular limb deformities and osteochondrosis.

Work with your equine practitioner to develop a total health care plan based on your foals, weanlings and yearlings’ specific needs. The reward for providing excellent nutrition, conscientious care and a safe environment will be a healthy foal that grows into a sound and useful horse!

To read more about foal care and nutrition, visit our website at: https://aaep.org/horsehealth/foal-growth-special-care-and-nutrition

05/04/2022

What am I looking at?! 😲🤔🐴

That would probably be the question everyone is thinking right about now. This needs a million double takes, because it looks quite unsettling.

In all seriousness, this is what foal’s hooves look like just a few minutes after birth, but you need to be quick to catch a peak because these slippers quickly dry and slough off.

This soft looking rubber layer is called the deciduous hoof capsule (Eponychium), and it protects the mother’s uterus and birth canal from the sharp edges of the hooves during pregnancy and birth. Also known as; angel slippers, golden slippers or foal slippers.

Those who work with horses say it feels soft and squishy (ew) 🤪. Nature has an odd but beautiful way of working things out and making sure their entrance into the world is a safe one.

30/03/2022

Good morning everyone,
Here’s a guideline for making sure your mare and foal are on the right track

23/03/2022

Preparation for a Normal Foaling
Foaling is a very exciting time which is more than just anxiously watching the start of a new life. It is the fruit of months or even years of planning and anticipation. The anxiety reaches its peak as soon as the mare goes into labor and a tiny hoof makes its appearance, followed by another, then the nose, the neck, shoulders, and finally in a rush, the rest of the body.
While most of the foalings are straightforward and uncomplicated (normal foaling rates of as high as 95% or even higher have been reported!!!); unfortunately, it still can go wrong, and a potentially extraordinary experience turns into an absolute nightmare. Even when a foal survives the explosive event of foaling, up to 10-11% of all mortality rate in neonatal stages may be due to trauma, or complications that occur at birth.
It is important to note once advance signs of labor begin and the mare’s water breaks, often the foal would be on the ground in 30 minutes–45 minutes. Of course it might sound like not a long time to some, but the actual window of opportunity to recognize potential problems is only a small fraction of this time frame!!! The potential problem is by the time horse owner or caretaker realizes something has gone wrong, there can often be a delay in the arrival of or access to professional help and little time left to correct the problem before potentially more serious or irreversible damage might be done to both mare and foal.
Therefore, in preparation for foaling, it is paramount for the mare owner or caretaker to have a reasonable understanding of foaling.

Understanding the Fundamentals of a NORMAL foaling:
Weeks before getting close to foaling (~4 weeks), the foal’s primary organs are all fully developed and rapidly maturing. The foal is floating in the amniotic sac within the placenta and is getting nutrition and oxygen via the umbilical cord, which continue to be the foal’s lifeline until the foal has been delivered.
At about a week prior to birth, the foal has grown to the point where it has little room to move within the uterus. A transabdominal ultrasound exam of pregnant mares at this point shows a foal that is upside down often with the front end of the foal positioned closer to the mare's pelvis. During the final hours prior to delivery (the stage one of foaling), the foal will rotate until it is in the correct position for delivery with front feet and nose moving up into the birth canal in a sort of diving position.
As the mare gets closer to foaling, she will go through two basic stages of labor. During the “first stage” (earlier stage that is often hours prior to delivery of the foal) she often is restless and agitated; may paw at her bedding and lie down and get up frequently. These are good signals for the owner or attendant to be on the alert as the second stage of labour can follow at any time. Unfortunately, the exact time frame between the start of these behavioural changes of restlessness and agitation varies substantially between different mares (breed, age, previous foalings, …) and has not been determined. However, if there is a long period of time between the onset of discomfort and the breaking of the water to signal the start of the second stage, recording it could help you recognize potential trouble.
When all goes well the mare’s distress and level of discomfort will increase as contractions increase in frequency and severity, and soon will be the start of serious labor with the breaking of water (second stage of foaling). Normally, most of the mares will lie on their side to facilitate the foal’s passage through the birth canal.
To better understand the relationship between the foal and its fetal membranes better, it may help imagine the foal wrapped in double bags. At this point the “outer sac” of the double bags containing the foal, is the actual placenta and should be still attached to the inner surface of the mare’s uterus and filled with its own fluid. The second layer (inner bag!) which is called the amniotic sac, is the one that is the translucent membrane we often see as the first membranes protruding at the time of foaling and contains the foal is also filled with fluid. When the foal enters the birth canal, it is still contained in this inner sac (Amniotic sac) and pushes its way through the outer sac at the cervix into the birth canal when the mare’s “water breaks” and the fluid between the placenta and the amniotic sac (outer layer of bags!!!) gushes out, lubricating the va**na. Shortly thereafter, with continuous contractions of the mare a translucent white “bubble” filled with fluid appears at the v***a. This sac, which surrounds the foal while it is still being delivered, will break on its own as well. Even if it doesn’t, there normally is little danger to the foal, because at this point the foal is still dependent on the umbilical cord for oxygen until it is delivered, and its chest can expand to breathe on its own.
preparations for foaling during last few weeks
It is prudent to communicate the expected due date with the attendants at the foaling barn and your veterinarian, and if a Caslick’s procedure has been done on the mare (stitching the v***a nearly closed to prevent contamination of the reproductive tract). A Caslick’s should be opened ~14 days prior to the anticipated due date. Tt is also the time to prepare the foaling stall if you foal your mare at home, and put together the items needed for a basic foaling kit.

A Normal Delivery in a Glance:
Here is a brief sequence of events that can determine whether you are facing a normal foaling once the mare is down, in labor and the water bag is bulging or broken:
first one foot,
then the other should make an appearance,
followed by the nose and head.
What to watch for!
During this stage of labour, once the first foot makes its appearance the attendant may carefully reach into the birth canal to determine whether the foal is in proper presentation (check the presence of a second foot and nose!!!). This information helps to make certain all is going well and normal. In a large size horse, usually the second leg should be easily detected ~15-20 cm inside the birth canal behind the first foot, and the nose often about the same distance behind the second foot. confirming this normal presentation gives peace of mind that one limb being slightly forward of the other allows only one shoulder passing through the birth canal at a time.
*** If that is the case, you may step back to watch and monitor the birth of your foal.
However, if you notice even one of the legs or the head is out of position, it is a clear indication that FOALING IS GOING WRONG and there is a problem. Do not delay asking for professional help!!!

22/03/2022

Some great info!

WELCOME SPRING!

PSA No. 1: During shedding season, wear lip balm and fleece at your own risk.

PSA No. 2: If your horse is NOT shedding his coat this spring, or even not shedding as much as you think he should be, be sure to give your veterinarian a call — especially if your horse is 15 or older. A long haircoat that fails to shed according to normal seasonal patterns is the most classic sign of Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing’s disease. This disorder of the pituitary gland results in hormonal imbalances and is one of the most common diseases of middle-aged and geriatric horses.

Recognition of the clinical signs and early diagnoses are the first steps in identification of horses with PPID; treatment and implementation of excellent wellness practices (like strict attention to diet, teeth and hooves) are the key features to extending the life of a horse with PPID. Without treatment, symptoms tend to worsen over time and many horses are euthanized as a consequence of laminitis, recurrent foot abscesses or complications related to bacterial infections.

Contact your veterinarian for more information, or read more on our website at https://aaep.org/issue/equine-endocrinology-cushings-disease-and-metabolic-syndrome or at https://aaep.org/issue/equine-cushings-disease-equine-pituitary-pars-intermedia-dysfunction

21/03/2022

It’s that time, everybody — the foaling season is here!

With this excitement comes sleep deprivation, overthinking, and helicopter parenting of your pregnant mares. Don’t stress, we’ve got all the essential items you’ll need for mare, foal, and self to ensure a smooth and successful experience this season. Our team has put together a list of things you must have in your foaling kit:

A Stopwatch; use your Cell phone or a watch) ) - to keep track of time lapse, which is crucial if a problem arises.

Notebook/pens - keep track of events incase you need to Consult with your vet

List of contacts including your vet, breeder and or some experienced friends just incase something goes wrong

Tail Wraps - vet wrap works great and come in many colours

Scissors

Buckets x3 and a cup - one for washing the mare, one just incase and the third for the placenta

Gloves /shoulder length gloves

Umbilical tape or clamps- to tie off the umbilical cord in case of excessive hemorrhage

Flashlight/headlamp (Extra batteries)

Ivory Soap & sponge to wash mare’s udders and perineal region

Towels; lots of towels!!!

L**e

Stethoscope

Navel Dip - chlorhexidine or iodine; both need to be diluted (NOTE: Chlorhexidine is considered the antiseptic of choice! Should dilute it to make a 0.5% solution (e.i. 1 part 2% chlorhexidine solution with 3 parts sterile water). The solution can be picked up or ordered to us a few weeks prior to foaling).

Enemas(fleet) - can be found in most pharmacies

Thermometer - to monitor mare and foals temperature

Bran - it’s nice to make the mares a nice watery bran mash after they’ve foaled

Bindertwine - to tie the placenta to prevent dragging on the ground so your vet can make sure it’s all accounted for

Extra halter and leads.

Clean Plastic small syringe or a container to collect a few ml of colostrum shortly after the foal is born. This sample could be used to test the quality of colostrum the foal getting while we wait for the ~12 hour mark to visit your mare and foal for thorough post foaling exam. We can compare values of the colostrum and the foals' blood IGG SNAP Test to better plan treatment options if needed!

Milk storage bags - or a milk bottle: After your foal has nursed a few times, you should consider using a Plastic bag or bottle to collect about a cup of colostrum to freeze for future use. This could be important if your other mare happens to drip or have poor quality colostrum. Foals are born and lose the crucial immunoglobulins (antibodies) needed to pass immunity from the mare to the newborn, colostrum is very important.

Emergency supplies:

Here is a list of a few items that could be considered for an emergency kit for foaling. Access to such medication might be crucial and can help with better management of emergencies during the foaling and post foaling period while your vet is on the way.

Needles
Syringes
Oxytocin (injectable; only to be used as directed)
Banamine (injectable or oral paste; only to be used as directed)
Sedatives
Pulling chain (chains w/handles; can be ordered through your bet or picked up at your local feed store)
Frozen colostrum (just incase; phone around to breeders or vet clinics to see what’s available)
Karo syrup

18/03/2022

Happy st. Patrick’s day. We hope everyone stayed dry

16/03/2022

Your new foal is due soon! Prepare ahead of time so you're ready and know what to expect with the foal's arrival..

Barn/stall/fencing:

Look over the stall and barn area to make sure there’s no nails or objects that could cause injury to the foal and or mare. Keep rakes, pitchforks, wheelbarrows, tractors and other equipment out of the barn aisle, but close incase you need anything.
Look over feeders and waterers — both inside the stall and in the paddock. They should be smooth with rounded edges. Use troughs and feed bins that foals can't get trapped inside or big enough they can’t climb or fall in.

Foals need clearly visible fencing that keeps them in and prevents themselves and predators from getting underneath. The safest fencing for foals and young horses is important to prevent injury or accidents. So check for nails or sharp objects sticking out from any boards.

Foaling Stall:

Choose a low-traffic end of the barn, if possible. Clean and disinfect the foaling stall so it’s ready. If possible, leave it empty until right before the mare is ready to foal. Or only have the mare use the stall so it stays clean and she is relaxed and comfortable when it comes to foaling. A foaling stall needs to be big enough for your mare to walk around during labor and lay down to deliver the foal. The ideal size of the foaling stall is 12 x 24ft.

Cameras can be a great option because mares usually love foaling when all is quiet. Another reason cameras can be great option is post-foaling, so you can monitor both mare and foal.

When foaling is imminent, bed the stall with straw or bedding hay (not moldy or dusty). Avoid shavings for foaling, which will stick to the wet newborn and possibly get in his nose. Shavings are also more porous and can hold more bacteria. If you usually bed on shavings, you can switch back to them once the foal is a few days old. If you have stall mats, they can become slippery, especially for a wobbly-legged new foal, making it harder for the baby trying to stand and get around. So you can bed the stall deep enough your foal will be less likely to slip and slide.

Some owners send their mares to a farm specifically for foaling where experienced staff are on hand. This can be helpful if you don't have the best facility for foaling or are nervous about foaling at home. If this is your plan, don't wait until right before she's due. Ideally, the mare should be at the location where she will foal four to six weeks prior. This gives her body time to produce antibodies that will pass on to the foal in her colostrum to protect the baby in the environment he will be born into.

Stay tuned for our next post about supplies needed for delivery of the foal