Many ?'s Re: Mare's first foal

rainrider · 04-17-2005, 08:29 AM

Okay, I have a few questions as to my mare's first foal (hers and mine!). She is not due until mid to end of May. She has a Caslick's closure which will be opened at the end of this month. Has anyone had experience with this and how do you keep it from getting infected if it's inside? I know absolutely nothing about this.

Right now, she's out with her buddy on grass. When she's close to foaling, do I separate her from the gelding? The gelding is very gentle and has always been around mares and foals. I was going to ask if you continue to turn them out close to her due date, but I would think so, as they could end up being stall bound for days, and I would think moving around would be good for her.

She is currently on pelleted bedding now, but I'm wondering if I should change to straw when she's closer? Last year, a friend had a mare that wasn't used to being inside. He said he preferred her having the foal out in the field as it was "cleaner" anyway. Any suggestions or experience? I don't need any horror stories, as I'm quite well aware of what can go wrong during foaling, but any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

arabkid · 04-17-2005, 09:02 AM

When you open your mares caslicks there will be nothing you can really do tp prevent infection. You can wait closer to foaling to open it if you like. But I wouldn't worry about it.

Is she the boss of her and her buddy? If she is then she can go out with him as much as you like to put her there. As long as you keep an eye on her and don't let him pester her during foaling. No do NOT keep you mare in a stall 24/7 before foaling. It's good for them to move around (like you said) and there is no reason for her to more locked up. We leave our mares our for the day like always, when they get about a week away we start bringing them in for night. I have no idea where you live but if the weather is nice, and you are going to keep a close eye on her, it's just as well she foals out side if it's during the day (most mares prefer it).

As for bedding, I would which to straw before foaling, but I would put something more absorbant underneath to soak everything up. But you will get a lot of different opinions on bedding.

Good luck with your mare, keep a close eye on her. If you know her well you will know the day she will foal....they act very different most of the time.

lil nicky · 04-17-2005, 11:45 AM

AHH keep her turned out close to her due date. Mares that dont get enough excersise get edema build up. (Its a fluid you can see it at the bottom of their stomach like to fat lines from her chest to her udder. Its uncomfortable for the horses.) Also moving around helps with milk production. If you have the time take your mare for a half an hour walk every day.
When she has her foal leave her in the barn (if you have one) for a day or two than turn them out seperate for a few weeks if you can. If the gelding is gentle with the foal and mare, personaly I would put them together a week or so after but many people like to take the extra precaution.
As far as bedding goes...straw is prefrerd for 3 reasons
1) It does not stick to the wet baby like straw
2) lying in the straw the baby will not inhale all that dust that shavings are
3) Better grip for the baby to get and also profides more safty
Foaling outside may be cleaner. I would prefer my mare in a barn so I can watch her better. Wash the stall with hot water and but some bleach ( not alot) into the water. it will disinfect the stall. wash the walls floor and buckets.. w/e is in the stall.

philly78 · 04-17-2005, 11:49 AM

Quote:

As far as bedding goes...straw is prefrerd for 3 reasons
1) It does not stick to the wet baby like straw

you lost me there?????

lil nicky · 04-22-2005, 06:40 PM

oops sorry . i meant to say that it doesnt stick to the wet baby like shavings would

CJ · 04-23-2005, 08:45 AM

Raps breeder had a vet convince her a mare was not near foaling one year, and the mare was turned out. Well the vet was wrong, the mare foaled overnight, and by the time it was discovered the next morning, the foal was too compromised from getting/ being colt & wet to survive. 2. I would separate the mare from the gelding before foaling; you don't want to risk the gelding turning unexpectedly on a newborn. 3. The more lite exercise/ movement the mare gets, the better her muscles will be for delivery; I wouldn't put her in a stall until/ unless necessary.

Western*Cowgurl · 04-23-2005, 01:10 PM

we have our mares to foal outside in large green pastures...and yes its better if u put straw rather than savings. as for the gelding i would say its alright to have him with ur mare,and if hes use to be with mare and foal,thats even better!

lol hope everything will go fine! and im anxious to see pics!!!! wat is ur mare bred to and wats her breed?

04-17-2005, 08:29 AM	#1
rainrider Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 222	Many ?'s Re: Mare's first foal Okay, I have a few questions as to my mare's first foal (hers and mine!). She is not due until mid to end of May. She has a Caslick's closure which will be opened at the end of this month. Has anyone had experience with this and how do you keep it from getting infected if it's inside? I know absolutely nothing about this. Right now, she's out with her buddy on grass. When she's close to foaling, do I separate her from the gelding? The gelding is very gentle and has always been around mares and foals. I was going to ask if you continue to turn them out close to her due date, but I would think so, as they could end up being stall bound for days, and I would think moving around would be good for her. She is currently on pelleted bedding now, but I'm wondering if I should change to straw when she's closer? Last year, a friend had a mare that wasn't used to being inside. He said he preferred her having the foal out in the field as it was "cleaner" anyway. Any suggestions or experience? I don't need any horror stories, as I'm quite well aware of what can go wrong during foaling, but any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

04-17-2005, 09:02 AM	#2
arabkid Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 4,633 Images: 271 Blog Entries: 17	When you open your mares caslicks there will be nothing you can really do tp prevent infection. You can wait closer to foaling to open it if you like. But I wouldn't worry about it. Is she the boss of her and her buddy? If she is then she can go out with him as much as you like to put her there. As long as you keep an eye on her and don't let him pester her during foaling. No do NOT keep you mare in a stall 24/7 before foaling. It's good for them to move around (like you said) and there is no reason for her to more locked up. We leave our mares our for the day like always, when they get about a week away we start bringing them in for night. I have no idea where you live but if the weather is nice, and you are going to keep a close eye on her, it's just as well she foals out side if it's during the day (most mares prefer it). As for bedding, I would which to straw before foaling, but I would put something more absorbant underneath to soak everything up. But you will get a lot of different opinions on bedding. Good luck with your mare, keep a close eye on her. If you know her well you will know the day she will foal....they act very different most of the time. __________________ "CON-FUCIUS SAY......YOU GO TO JAIL, BAD BOY" -Russell Peters LOL www.wunderbararabians.com

04-23-2005, 08:45 AM	#6
CJ Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 5,627 Images: 48	Raps breeder had a vet convince her a mare was not near foaling one year, and the mare was turned out. Well the vet was wrong, the mare foaled overnight, and by the time it was discovered the next morning, the foal was too compromised from getting/ being colt & wet to survive. 2. I would separate the mare from the gelding before foaling; you don't want to risk the gelding turning unexpectedly on a newborn. 3. The more lite exercise/ movement the mare gets, the better her muscles will be for delivery; I wouldn't put her in a stall until/ unless necessary. __________________ One Mare Can Make a Difference Pinky Ribbon

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Heartbreaking story	crazi4horses	Horse Chat	21	08-11-2005 12:18 PM
Dr. Robert Miller: Discusses Imprint Training	Sandra-A1	Horse Breeding	15	07-14-2005 07:26 PM
Celebration Releases......~	Sandra-A1	Horse Chat	0	01-19-2005 05:08 AM
Abortions in Mares	PawNHoofPrints	Horse Health	3	09-16-2004 03:53 AM
working with mares in foal!	crazi4horses	Horse Chat	8	12-30-2003 06:16 AM

04-17-2005, 11:45 AM	#3
lil nicky Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 511 Images: 15	AHH keep her turned out close to her due date. Mares that dont get enough excersise get edema build up. (Its a fluid you can see it at the bottom of their stomach like to fat lines from her chest to her udder. Its uncomfortable for the horses.) Also moving around helps with milk production. If you have the time take your mare for a half an hour walk every day. When she has her foal leave her in the barn (if you have one) for a day or two than turn them out seperate for a few weeks if you can. If the gelding is gentle with the foal and mare, personaly I would put them together a week or so after but many people like to take the extra precaution. As far as bedding goes...straw is prefrerd for 3 reasons 1) It does not stick to the wet baby like straw 2) lying in the straw the baby will not inhale all that dust that shavings are 3) Better grip for the baby to get and also profides more safty Foaling outside may be cleaner. I would prefer my mare in a barn so I can watch her better. Wash the stall with hot water and but some bleach ( not alot) into the water. it will disinfect the stall. wash the walls floor and buckets.. w/e is in the stall.

04-22-2005, 06:40 PM	#5
lil nicky Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 511 Images: 15	oops sorry . i meant to say that it doesnt stick to the wet baby like shavings would

04-23-2005, 01:10 PM	#7
Western*Cowgurl Full Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ontario,Canada Posts: 250	we have our mares to foal outside in large green pastures...and yes its better if u put straw rather than savings. as for the gelding i would say its alright to have him with ur mare,and if hes use to be with mare and foal,thats even better! lol hope everything will go fine! and im anxious to see pics!!!! wat is ur mare bred to and wats her breed?