Help-Setting up a Foaling area

AnnaBelle02 · 01-30-2004, 05:12 AM

Ok-foaling is still 5 months away for me but I was wondering if you could give me any pointers on setting up the foaling area. (I've got the disinfecting thing down fine-my major is in microbiology so I am more aware of the microbial world than most normal people

gosh I love my micro! hehe)
Anyway here is the set up - make any suggestions
20x20 (its not really a stall-its part of the barn we use as a run in or for cattle that may have a problem calving) There is a door way on one side of the stall so I considered putting plywood over it (we don't use it) so that all the walls are totally flat(because of the frame the door is set with about a 4 inch frame on the stall side-I don't know how to describe it better-basically it would be a nice trap for a tiny hoof or an area that could give some bumps or scratches)

And here is the problem I'm not sure how to solve- there is a long gate for the opening to the stall - I don't see this a s beeing safe and I don't want baby caught under it so what would you suggest doing? (keeping in mind this isn't my barn - and she is a first time mom so I don't want her foaling outside) What would you do in this case

Any added advice would be graciously accepted.

horse_crazy · 01-30-2004, 10:22 AM

Some people just put straw bales by an opening, it works as long as it doesn't get push so that a foal can get under it. We have a 10x22 foaling stall, just made out of the paneling, so we took some chicken wire and doubled it and then....no problem w/ the foal getting pushed inbetween one of the bars of the panel. Ohh, and you probably already know this but...first time mom>>>>make sure you are there when she foals!!!!!

AnnaBelle02 · 01-30-2004, 12:43 PM

I wouldn't miss it for the world! (and I have back up incase the world ends and I go with it...LOL)

horse_crazy · 01-30-2004, 03:03 PM

Thats great, I hope you have fun with your mare and foal!

Blistering Winds · 01-31-2004, 05:56 AM

Horses have a rare chance in having issues getting the foal out. The only problem you might ever see if the foal is in the wrong position.

When she starts labor. STAY QUIET AND OUT OF SITE! Peak in on her very quietly. If you make too much noise, she can stop her labor. Which will lead to more issues like tearing, foal death, etc.

A mare has SO much muscle tone inside, don't worry about helping get the foal OUT. She can do it.

You should watch to see 2 front hooves with the tops up and the frogs down. Then a nose sitting on the knees/cannons. If not, Call your vet and he'll tell you exactly what you can do at this stage and he should come IMMEDIATELY.

Now, don't freak out if you see the feet, then they disappear. The foal plays "peek-a-boo". BEst thing I can call it. But it takes anywhere from 15 min - 30 min to actually foal out. After 30 minutes, I'd start calling a vet. But rarely ever happens. Still, leave the mare alone unless the vet tells you to do something.

After the foal hits the ground, PLEASE leave momma and baby alone for a while. This is their bonding time. THere is plenty of time for you to bond with the baby. Also, let the foal get up on his own. This falling down and wobbling phase is essential to muscle coordinations and if you interfere, it will take much longer for the muscles to coordinate right, if ever.

Anyways, good luck!!\

PS. If you are that worried about the facilities, leave the mare outside. SOunds like your foal will be coming in the spring/summer, so the cold isn't an issue.

Just keep her in a large corral or pasture that you can see her from anywhere. Actually more space for her the better.

Jumpers · 02-01-2004, 06:25 AM

As for your gate - you can have large sheets of plywood cut to fit the door. Drill small holes in them and secure them to the gate with large tie-wraps (zip ties) Make sure to position the zip ties so the tails point out of the stall - not in where the mare and foal are. This has worked fantastic for us! The plywood is safe, smooth, and covers all the openings in the gate where a tiny leg can get broken.

We did this in our horsetrailer too so that when babies travel, there is a solid wall on either side of them. We've never had an accident this way.

Make sure to bed your foaling stall with STRAW and not shavings! The baby can aspirate shavings into the mouth and lungs. Also, all the dust from the shavings is hard on the lungs.

Look for the obvious such as nails, screws, large splinters of wood, etc. in the stall. But also remember the un-obvious such as snaps. People don't think about snaps, but I know a horse who had his entire eyelid torn off when he was scratching on a bucket snap.

Make sure your mare isn't wearing a blanket. I've heard of mares foaling with blankets on, but it is very dangerous. Too many straps for baby to get caught in.

AnnaBelle02 · 02-01-2004, 04:10 PM

Oh my gosh! I could see how that blanket thing would be a total disaster! (my mare is never blanketed though so one less thing I have to worry about!)
I agree with the snaps and the eyehooks as well very dangerous.
Not a fan at all of shavings so I'll deffinately have straw.
Thanks so much everyone for the great pointers!

01-30-2004, 05:12 AM	#1
AnnaBelle02 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,230 Images: 3	Help-Setting up a Foaling area Ok-foaling is still 5 months away for me but I was wondering if you could give me any pointers on setting up the foaling area. (I've got the disinfecting thing down fine-my major is in microbiology so I am more aware of the microbial world than most normal people gosh I love my micro! hehe) Anyway here is the set up - make any suggestions 20x20 (its not really a stall-its part of the barn we use as a run in or for cattle that may have a problem calving) There is a door way on one side of the stall so I considered putting plywood over it (we don't use it) so that all the walls are totally flat(because of the frame the door is set with about a 4 inch frame on the stall side-I don't know how to describe it better-basically it would be a nice trap for a tiny hoof or an area that could give some bumps or scratches) And here is the problem I'm not sure how to solve- there is a long gate for the opening to the stall - I don't see this a s beeing safe and I don't want baby caught under it so what would you suggest doing? (keeping in mind this isn't my barn - and she is a first time mom so I don't want her foaling outside) What would you do in this case Any added advice would be graciously accepted. __________________ I love riding my Standardbred!

01-30-2004, 12:43 PM	#3
AnnaBelle02 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,230 Images: 3	I wouldn't miss it for the world! (and I have back up incase the world ends and I go with it...LOL) __________________ I love riding my Standardbred!

01-31-2004, 05:56 AM	#5
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,866 Images: 822 Blog Entries: 17	Horses have a rare chance in having issues getting the foal out. The only problem you might ever see if the foal is in the wrong position. When she starts labor. STAY QUIET AND OUT OF SITE! Peak in on her very quietly. If you make too much noise, she can stop her labor. Which will lead to more issues like tearing, foal death, etc. A mare has SO much muscle tone inside, don't worry about helping get the foal OUT. She can do it. You should watch to see 2 front hooves with the tops up and the frogs down. Then a nose sitting on the knees/cannons. If not, Call your vet and he'll tell you exactly what you can do at this stage and he should come IMMEDIATELY. Now, don't freak out if you see the feet, then they disappear. The foal plays "peek-a-boo". BEst thing I can call it. But it takes anywhere from 15 min - 30 min to actually foal out. After 30 minutes, I'd start calling a vet. But rarely ever happens. Still, leave the mare alone unless the vet tells you to do something. After the foal hits the ground, PLEASE leave momma and baby alone for a while. This is their bonding time. THere is plenty of time for you to bond with the baby. Also, let the foal get up on his own. This falling down and wobbling phase is essential to muscle coordinations and if you interfere, it will take much longer for the muscles to coordinate right, if ever. Anyways, good luck!!\ PS. If you are that worried about the facilities, leave the mare outside. SOunds like your foal will be coming in the spring/summer, so the cold isn't an issue. Just keep her in a large corral or pasture that you can see her from anywhere. Actually more space for her the better. __________________ HGS is a very powerful, addicting place that is just as bad as cigarettes, however healthier for you AND your horse.

02-01-2004, 04:10 PM	#7
AnnaBelle02 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,230 Images: 3	Oh my gosh! I could see how that blanket thing would be a total disaster! (my mare is never blanketed though so one less thing I have to worry about!) I agree with the snaps and the eyehooks as well very dangerous. Not a fan at all of shavings so I'll deffinately have straw. Thanks so much everyone for the great pointers! __________________ I love riding my Standardbred!

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01-30-2004, 10:22 AM	#2
horse_crazy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,067	Some people just put straw bales by an opening, it works as long as it doesn't get push so that a foal can get under it. We have a 10x22 foaling stall, just made out of the paneling, so we took some chicken wire and doubled it and then....no problem w/ the foal getting pushed inbetween one of the bars of the panel. Ohh, and you probably already know this but...first time mom>>>>make sure you are there when she foals!!!!!

01-30-2004, 03:03 PM	#4
horse_crazy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,067	Thats great, I hope you have fun with your mare and foal!

02-01-2004, 06:25 AM	#6
Jumpers Banned Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,216	As for your gate - you can have large sheets of plywood cut to fit the door. Drill small holes in them and secure them to the gate with large tie-wraps (zip ties) Make sure to position the zip ties so the tails point out of the stall - not in where the mare and foal are. This has worked fantastic for us! The plywood is safe, smooth, and covers all the openings in the gate where a tiny leg can get broken. We did this in our horsetrailer too so that when babies travel, there is a solid wall on either side of them. We've never had an accident this way. Make sure to bed your foaling stall with STRAW and not shavings! The baby can aspirate shavings into the mouth and lungs. Also, all the dust from the shavings is hard on the lungs. Look for the obvious such as nails, screws, large splinters of wood, etc. in the stall. But also remember the un-obvious such as snaps. People don't think about snaps, but I know a horse who had his entire eyelid torn off when he was scratching on a bucket snap. Make sure your mare isn't wearing a blanket. I've heard of mares foaling with blankets on, but it is very dangerous. Too many straps for baby to get caught in.