YOUTH PAGE – Feb 04
Dear Shaboom,
My mare is due to foal in April. I don’t have a fancy barn for her to foal in.
What should I do? Jenny from Twin Falls, ID.
Well Jenny, it’s a common misconception that we mares need a fancy foaling
stall in order to have a healthy foal. Mares have been foaling in the open for
thousands of years with no shelter at all. In good weather a mare will do just
fine in a small grassy paddock. But it is good to have shelter of some kind in
case of bad weather. It would not be advisable to breed your mare to foal before
April 1st without having a barn to protect the baby from the cold. But for a
spring foaling, a roomy three-sided shed would work just fine. Be sure the walls
go all the way to the ground without any gaps or spaces. A newborn foal can
easily roll or get caught under a wall causing injury or death. An expecting
mare should be separated from the rest of her pasture mates before foaling as
horses are very curious and could unintentionally hurt the new baby while
introducing themselves. Using shavings or wood chips in the foaling area should
be avoided; it could cause the mare to get an infection. Straw is always the
best choice. Be sure the foaling area is clean, dry and mucked out every day.
Use a small bucket for water; you don’t want the new foal to accidentally end up
in the water trough. But be sure your mare always has water. When your mare is
near her due date check on her several times during the night. Don’t be
disappointed if you don’t get to see your new baby being born, mares like to be
sneaky and surprise you with a cleaned foal. If your mare looks to be straining
and nothing is happening call your vet right away. The foal might not be in the
proper position to be born and a vet is needed to help. But most of the time the
mare will do it all on her own and all you have to do is iodine the foal’s
navel. Have fun with your new foal. Shaboom.
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Did you Know….
Fun Facts about horses
1. The average gestation period of the mare is 11 months and a few days with
a few variations. As a rule a colt is carried longer than a filly.
2. A new foal will normally be on its feet and nursing within a half-hour after
its birth. 24 hours after birth it should be able to gallop with its dam.
3. Most breed registries consider a foal’s birthday to be January 1of the year
it was born, regardless of when it was actually foaled.
4. Most yearlings are three quarters of their adult height. They usually appear
rather lanky as they have yet to fill out.
5. Horses lose their baby “milk” teeth and grow new permanent teeth between the
ages of 2 and 5 years of age just like people.
Clyde Says Congrats to Holly Rathjen
Reserve Over-All Hi-Point, 13-18 rider: NW Region POA
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Should you breed your mare?
By Michelle Dempsey, Youth Editor
Maybe old Bess is getting on in years, a friend just gave you a horse, or for
whatever reason you have a mare. Perhaps you and your parents feel it would be a
fun and rewarding experience to raise a foal. So you have decided to breed your
mare to experience the thrill and excitement of raising a foal first hand. Is
this the best decision for you and your mare? Here are some helpful hints to
help with this difficult decision.
1. Is your mare sound for breeding? Before booking your mare to be bred she
should have a complete reproductive checkup by your vet. Most stallion owners
require one to ensure the health of their stallion. This will help determine the
probability of her conceiving and carrying a foal to term.
2. Is your mare breeding quality? A good brood mare should have a sound
conformation and a willing, gentle disposition. An inferior mare may not be the
best candidate for a brood mare. She will likely pass on her undesirable traits
to her foal. Foals also tend to mimic their dam’s behavior, so her foal might
pick up any undesirable habits the mare may have. If you are in doubt as to her
conformational or temperamental quality, consult with a knowledgeable, qualified
horse person or a Veterinarian to help you judge your mare’s suitability as a
brood mare. Remember that your mare is 50% of what your foal will be.
3. Is your mare registered? In most cases it is inadvisable to breed an
unregistered mare. There is no way to research her genetics for hidden
hereditary problems. Also her offspring may not be eligible for registry which
may lower their value if you intend to sell them. Be aware that papers alone are
not a guarantee that your mare will be an ideal brood mare candidate.
4. Avoid breeding a mare that could not be trained. Regardless of pedigree or
conformation an untrainable mare will most likely produce an untrainable foal.
Many times this mistake is made “We can’t ride her so we’ll breed her.” This is
the worst possible reason to breed a mare and results in passing undesirable
mental traits to future generations.
5. Raising a foal costs money. Are you financially prepared to care for your
new foal from birth for however long you own the foal? Your foal will need
regular vet and farrier care and good feed just like its dam. If you plan on
keeping your foal it will need training at two years old or so. Be sure you are
prepared for the financial responsibility of one more horse.
6. There are exceptions to most rules. If your mare has been a faithful mount
and friend and you plan to keep the foal in the family by all means, if she is
healthy and able to carry a foal, breed her to a quality stallion and enjoy your
new baby.
