Foaling Kit Recommendations & Tips from Breeders

Editor's Note: The USSHBA recommends that all breeders consult first with their veterinarian and/or experienced foaling manager to develop their specific foaling plan.  The following are recommendations from breeders, but is not a complete list and all supplies/drugs or techniques should be discussed in advance with your veterinarian and used under veterinary supervision.


The Well-Stocked Foaling Kit

• Several clean towels, multiple sizes
• Dilute Nolvason solution (for dipping navels)
• 12cc syringe case to use for dipping the navel
• Sharp, clean scissors
• Enema
• Ivermectin for deworming the mare
• Extra tail wrap
• String/Rope/Baling Twine to tie off umbilicus 
• Large garbage bag or bucket for placenta
• Foal Alert System
• Hand Sanitizer
• Milk test strips (available from your veterinarian)
• Udderly Easy Mare Milker
• Milk bags to freeze good colostrum in case of emergency
• Foal Blanket
• Phone
• Vet wrap for mare’s tail
• Flashlight
• Watch/Timer
• Clean cup to use for colostrum in case of emergency
• Large dosing syringe
• Thermometer
• Camera
• Colostrum paste
• Vaseline/Lubricant/KY Jelly
• Ivory Soap
• Latex Gloves
• Obstetrical sleeves/plastic rectal sleeves
• Baby nasal aspirator/turkey baster
• Foal Resuscitator 
• Baby bottle (several different nipple options)
• Note Pad/Pen used in conjuction with timer (keep track of water breaking, standing, nursing, meconium passing, placenta passing, etc)
  
• Foal halter

Tips, Suggestions, and Experiences

“...We have mats in our stalls and the foals can have a hard time getting up on them with just straw as bedding, so we put shavings down first then straw on top. This works well as the shavings do a great job of absorbing all the fluids. 15-20 minutes after the foal is out we change the soiled part of the bedding to keep everything clean and dry.” - Dr. Rachel Kane, DVM

“Milk testing: You want to test the pH and the calcium, low pH (around 6) and high calcium (500+) usually means foaling is imminent. Use a ratio of 6:1 with water and use spa test strips or aquarium test strips just make sure the pH goes low enough and calcium goes high enough.” - Kimmy Risser, Hickory Manor

“When the front legs first start to appear, I always follow the legs up into the birth canal to make sure I can feel the head in the right position. That way if there is an issue with position I can detect it right away instead of waiting until the problem becomes obvious.” - Jennifer DesRoche, Signature Sporthorses

'Milk out the mare shortly after foaling and feed the foal the colostrum from a bottle before he stands. That way he will get the much needed colostrum in his system to build immunity right away and to give him the energy he’ll need to stand and eventually nurse. It can help the mare pass the afterbirth quicker as well and prevent meconium impaction in the foal' - Several breeders