Prepare the stable carefully for a mare in foal to give her and the youngster the best possible start. Greg Miles
If you have gone to the trouble to pick good parents, then give this special foal the best place to start life. The stable must be 5m by 6m with a door around 1,8m to 2m wide. A foal will always try to stay as close to its mother as possible, so when you turn them out one of them will be squashed unless the door is wide.
There must be access from two sides of the foaling stable. large window is ideal for observations, but should be positioned so it does not bother the mare before she foals. H orses are outside creatures by nature, and ventilation is very important. flow (not a draught) of fresh air is essential to minimise colds and coughs. It is best to have a south-facing stable. he stable lighting must be adequate, as foals normally arrive at night. There must be an electrical point and warm water near the stable in case of complications.
Check for any sharp edges. he fewer fittings in the stable the better. If you put up a hayrack, the grains may fall into the foal’s eyes, causing complications. Rather feed hay on the ground. The floor should be cement, and should have “banks” around the walls, made from bedding piled up at an angle against the walls. Around 60cm is normally adequate, and will also protect against being “cast” (when the mare tries to roll over and is caught up against the wall). bedding should always be thick to prevent damage to any part of the mare and foal. he mare will always need enough roughage and fresh food, as well as water, which is essential for good milk production. Carrots and apples are not a treat but a necessity to a mare in foal. Y oungsters should not eat with their mothers – this could lead to significant problems such as boxy hooves and bones that have grown too fast.
The manger should be high enough to prevent the foal from reaching the feed. Foals should start eating small low-protein meals from around six months old, and should be encouraged to drink a lot of water. If you use an automatic water drinker, make sure the foal can find it. Ideally, the foaling stable should be turned into a “foal-safe” paddock. This has large solid corner poles and preferably solid wood or metal rails that are highly visible to the foal.
Most foals go haring around the field, often forgetting to check for thin fences. bottom rail must be 60cm from the ground to prevent the escape artist from trying his luck. The paddock should not be smaller than 10m by 6m. he mother and foal should be kept in this paddock for around a month. This will give the parent time to teach junior a few manners.
For a young foal, space to run and play is essential for the development of lungs and balance as well as social skills. he other horses in the yard will be very excited about the new arrival, so make sure they can see the youngster but can’t bite or kick him or her. – Kim Dyson (082 888 6511). |fw
