Prepare your mare well..
- Sabine Smit
- 21 nov 2024
- 3 minuten om te lezen
The countdown has begun! It won't be long before the first foals of 2025 will be born. For me, the winter period is always the time to prepare my mares well for the arrival of the foals. In April I am expecting two foals myself, and that is why I am already making sure that everything is arranged in time. This is how I prepare myself:
1. Health and nutrition in order
I lay the foundation for healthy winter nutrition for my pregnant mares in the summer by purchasing good quality hay. Hay with the right nutritional value is crucial for the health of the mare and the unborn foal. By having the hay analyzed, I know exactly what I feed and which supplements or pellets may be needed to supplement deficiencies. This not only helps to keep my horses healthy, but also to save costs and unnecessary nutrients.
In the winter I regularly add carrots to their diet. These carrots contain carotene, which contributes to a strong immune system, cell renewal, good vision and fertility. They also support the development of the unborn foal. I do pay attention to the amount, because carrots contain natural sugars that can be harmful in large quantities.
Because my horses spend a lot of time in the paddock or on short grass in the winter, they run a greater risk of ingesting sand. To prevent sand accumulation in the intestines, I give my mares a 7-day cure with flea seed (psyllium seed) several times a season. I mix this with mash to make it attractive and easier to absorb. This way I ensure that my mares get through the winter healthy and fit.
2. Check vaccinations and deworming
I check whether the vaccinations are on schedule and, if necessary, I ensure correct and timely deworming.
3. Preparing the stable
I make the stable completely foal-proof: clean it thoroughly, I provide a base layer of flax with a thick layer of straw on top of that and no dangerous objects that they can hurt themselves on. I use a security camera that monitors the mares day and night. Because I don't have wifi in the stable, I use a 4G security camera with a SIM card. I can use this to see how my horses are doing at any time via my mobile phone.
4. Prepare supplies
My personal "foal kit" is always within reach. It contains, among other things:
A birth alarm
Umbilical cord disinfectant
An umbilical cord clamp
A thermometer
Adhesive bandage for the tail
A milk bottle with lamb's teat
Long and short disposable gloves
An enema
Disposable syringes
Lubricant
A sharp pair of scissors
(Straw) ropes
Clean towels
A bucket and sponge
The vet's phone number
5. Peace, space and movement
My mares get enough exercise every day and stay in a group with access to a spacious walk-in stable. This allows them to choose whether they want to be inside or outside. In the last weeks before the birth, I put the mares in a separate stable, so that they have all the peace and quiet before and during the birth.
6. Watching educational videos on YouTube
Unfortunately, they are often not the most fun videos to watch, but they are very educational and can help you respond better if the birth does not go as it should. Think of a "red bag delivery" or a wrong position of the foal.
Make the birth of your foal a stress-free and unforgettable moment. Good luck! 🐴
Sabine Smit - Veulentekoop.nl
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