Another Foal Question

[clpclop]

Living in Southern California, the spring nights will normally be in the 50's, coldest probably 40's. When our foals arrive in April, would we need to have a foal blanket?

 

[hhpminis]

If you have horses, I feel it is always good to have at least one blanket for each horse you have, or at least one of each size horse that you have. If you breed then you should have small blankets on hand to fit a foal at different stages of their growing.

A foal has a hard time regulating his body temp the first day or so. It very well could get cold. If it has a rough birth or Mom isn't freely flowing milk or it doesn't latch on right away, all these things could make a foal cold. So yes have a blanket ready. Remember too, that the blanket that fits it the day it is born will not fit it in a week or 2. Main thing is have a place that both mare and foal can get out of weather especially wind. Sometimes the mare needs a blanket for a little while too as she may be a bit shocky from birth.

 

[Bluerocket]

If you decide not to buy a blanket -- and find you need one -- a people sweatshirt can work as a substitute for the newborn foal.

 

[Hosscrazy]

I am also in So. Cal. - generally we have not needed to blanket the foals with the exception of some of the colder nights - then we do put blankets on the babies. You should have some extra blankets just in case you need to use them.

Best,

Liz R.

 

[HGFarm]

I have never had to blanket a new baby- most times they have plenty of hair, but are also in a place protected from the wind. However, that's not saying you may not have to, depending on circumstances. I have one I keep just for an emergency in my 'foal kit' stuff. Also, in an emergency, sometimes a little kids sweatshirt will work!! Like toddler size - small.

 

[clpclop]

Thank you all. As usual, great advice!

 

[Robin_C]

If you do have the need to blanket a new foal, especially a newborn, be sure to "season" the blanket first before putting it on the baby. Either rub the outside of the blanket all over the baby or place the baby on the blanket that you will be using as he dries off. This will make the blanket smell more familiar to the mare. We put a blanket on a newborn this year AFTER the baby was about 2 hours old. Mother and baby had bonded marvelously and baby was nursing well, but she became very upset and hostile to the baby once the blanket went on. As soon as we took it off, everything calmed down and returned to normal. Needless to say, we left the blanket off the baby and opted for him to be able to snuggle down in the bedding hay for warmth.

Robin C