Becky
Well-Known Member
Just a few of my observations over the years and a couple of myths to put to rest.
Myth #1 - Banamine given right after delivery will keep the mare from passing the placenta or slow down the process.
Not true! Foaling is a painful process no matter how stoic the mare might appear afterwards. Giving Banamine immediately after foaling will do a couple of things. First it will help to relieve pain in the mare. She is still having contractions to deliver the placenta. She will pass the placenta as she would without Banamine. If the mare is not painful, she will be on her feet more and tending to her foal. The foal needs to nurse within the first few hours to get the critical colostrum. If the mare is painful, she will lay down more, roll, thrash and not interact well with her foal. In fact, she could become dangerous to her foal if she is in pain.
I give Banamine here orally as soon as the mare foals. Once the foal has been delivered, and it is up on it's sternum breathing well, I step out of the stall to get the Banamine to give to the mare. Sometimes, that's before she even stands. IMO, it is cruel to not give the mare something to relieve pain. After all, she has been working hard for US!
Myth #2 - Feeding the mare after foaling might cause an impaction.
Again, not true. Foaling causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar and some mares become hypoglycemic. They are weak, wobbly and have a hard time keeping their balance when on their feet. I put food of some sort out for my mares as soon as they foal. Generally when they stand. If the mare stays down longer, I will put food in front of her face. Most mares clean out well beforre foaling and it will be 24 hours or longer before they pass more manure. If there is any concern about impactions, give the food wet. Moisture in the GI tract will help to move things along. Again, a comfortable mare is much more likely to interact well with and take care of her newborn foal!
If there are any concerns, certainly contact your vet. A happy, healthy mare and foal should be everyones' goal!
Myth #1 - Banamine given right after delivery will keep the mare from passing the placenta or slow down the process.
Not true! Foaling is a painful process no matter how stoic the mare might appear afterwards. Giving Banamine immediately after foaling will do a couple of things. First it will help to relieve pain in the mare. She is still having contractions to deliver the placenta. She will pass the placenta as she would without Banamine. If the mare is not painful, she will be on her feet more and tending to her foal. The foal needs to nurse within the first few hours to get the critical colostrum. If the mare is painful, she will lay down more, roll, thrash and not interact well with her foal. In fact, she could become dangerous to her foal if she is in pain.
I give Banamine here orally as soon as the mare foals. Once the foal has been delivered, and it is up on it's sternum breathing well, I step out of the stall to get the Banamine to give to the mare. Sometimes, that's before she even stands. IMO, it is cruel to not give the mare something to relieve pain. After all, she has been working hard for US!
Myth #2 - Feeding the mare after foaling might cause an impaction.
Again, not true. Foaling causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar and some mares become hypoglycemic. They are weak, wobbly and have a hard time keeping their balance when on their feet. I put food of some sort out for my mares as soon as they foal. Generally when they stand. If the mare stays down longer, I will put food in front of her face. Most mares clean out well beforre foaling and it will be 24 hours or longer before they pass more manure. If there is any concern about impactions, give the food wet. Moisture in the GI tract will help to move things along. Again, a comfortable mare is much more likely to interact well with and take care of her newborn foal!
If there are any concerns, certainly contact your vet. A happy, healthy mare and foal should be everyones' goal!
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