Foaling - What to Expect

[LittleMiss]

I'm a first time mini owner. I rescued a mare that is underweight and in foal. She's not extremely underweight, but she could use a few pounds. Hard to tell with all that fuzz. I'm just going by what I can feel.

She's due in a couple of months, I don't know the exact date. Only that she's due the beginning of May. She's 10 years old and the only history I have on her is that she lost a foal last year. I do not know why. Apparently the owner came out in the morning and the foal was dead.

I want to ensure I am prepared. I have experience with foaling, but not with minis. And I'm worried where her last foal died and she needs weight.

What do I need to know to be prepared? I've been reading what I can online, but any info you guys have to offer would be great!

Thanks!

 

[Magic]

The biggest issue with minis is to be sure to be there when they foal. So many things can go wrong, and with miniatures they are so small, a lot of times the birth sac just doesn't tear, and they suffocate if someone isn't there to remove it for them.

Has a vet seen your mare since you got her? Has she been adequately dewormed? I would get a checkup from the vet first, and get their opinion (does she need vaccinations?) and then start ramping up her feed, with an excellent quality hay (all she can eat) and a good grain or pelleted feed, like Omolene 300 which is specifically for pregnant and nursing mares. She'll need even more calories when she's nursing so it's vital that you get her weight up.

Do you have any specific questions? Such as if your foaling area will be ok, etc? It's easier to answer specifics than an entire general subject. Which brings to mind, it would be great for you to buy (or borrow from your library) a book or two on foaling out mares. Lots of necessary info! Let us know what else we can help you with, and I wish you luck!

 

[MindyLee]

Hi there and that is just GREAT that you now have her to love and help her foal out her little bundle of joy when it comes. 1st off, just because she lost her foal last year dose'nt mean she will this time. I too bought a mare in the past which had a dead foal for some reason or another and was told 5 different storys why. But when I had her and bred her myself, she did a awesome job foaling and even with no assistance so I determained it had to have been human error than. Foaling out is a lot like foaling big horses but because of their size, there can be a bit more difficulties also to be aware of. I too am still learning as I only had 2 foals myself and now expecting 2 this year so I have double the worry to be prepared for. But having high hopes and telling yourself that all will go well is the 1st step to foaling. To perpare for a foal, I have a list of things in a bucket just in case the time comes.

* baby eminias (to get the poop plug out)

* iodizion

* towel

* heat lamp

* plastic bag (4 placinta for vet to view)

* cell phone

* and you will get much more advice from others too here...

ALSO TAKE A LOOK at the bottem of their website at Crayonbox Miniatures for delivery photos, red bag photos, abort photos, belly photos, udder photos, and a lot of other VERY helpful photos when expecting a foal. This is such a great guide that a lot of folks use each year for foaling guides. www.crayonboxminiatures.com GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[turtlecreek]

Magic,

I noticed you mentioned books - what are a few of the best books out there on foaling with miniature horse? We just purchased a mare in foal due May/June and she will be my first mare to foal ever. I read alot of the posts on foaling here and have taken some notes.

Thanks!

 

[MiLo Minis]

Check out the "Best Of" forum for the thread on foaling - tons of good information there!

If your mare is underweight to the point where it could cause her difficulty be careful not to give her too much feed this late in her pregnancy. It will all go the the foal anyway and cause the foal to have a growth spurt that could make things harder for her. That was the advice given me by my vet and nutritionist when I took in a mare that was pregnant and very thin. Once the foal is born you can start to work on putting weight back on her. I was advised to feed a good quality hay (here in Ontario it was first cut alfalfa or second cut grass suggested) and to increase her feed slowly. That mare had many foals previously that were fine but lost that one

It's possible that your mare didn't have good nutrition last year when she was pregnant either.

Better luck wished for you and your new mare!

 

[Indy's mom]

Magic,I noticed you mentioned books - what are a few of the best books out there on foaling with miniature horse? We just purchased a mare in foal due May/June and she will be my first mare to foal ever. I read alot of the posts on foaling here and have taken some notes.

Thanks!

The best books IMO are "The Complete Book of Foaling" by Karen Hayes DVM and "Blessed are the Brood Mares" by M. Phyllis Lose VMD

~Tammy

 

[targetsmom]

Not much to add here, except suggesting watching marestare as much as you can. http://www.marestare.com. Click on the new barn alert so that you will be notified whenever a mare is close and then watch as many births as you can. Plenty of mini owners are on there.

Good luck!

P.S. I once had a biggie mare that the seller swore was not pregnant so she was quite thin when she foaled. Foal was a mule but but very healthy and the mare soon gained weight back.