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Preparations for Foaling

Preparations for Foaling Dr. Saundra TenBroeck - sht@ufl.edu University of Florida As we move into the early spring we begin to notice that, little by little, the days are getting longer. Mares bred in the previous spring are beginning to track wider. Anticipation of the upcoming foal crop should prompt you to make necessary preparations. As you devel-op the management calendar, you will need to work backwards from the EXPECTED FOALING DATE as all other preparations hinge on this point in time.
Calculating Expected Foaling Date (EFD). Look up your mare’s last ovulation date (or last breeding date) and count back 25 days on the calendar. Average gestation length for mares is 340 days so your mare will foal approximately one month earlier than the month you bred her. Gestation length varies a great deal (325 – 360 days). Mares foaling earlier in the year (January - early March) will have, on average, a 10 day longer gestation length than mares foaling later in the year (late March - May). Assess Body Condition Score (BCS) While lactating, your mares will be in a negative energy balance (burning body fat stores). In anticipation of the expected demands of lactation, assess BCS of your mare and feed her to a minimum score of 5.5 or 6 before foaling. This is best done in the second trimester of pregnancy. If you are unsure of how to evaluate BCS, contact your county agent or check out the app from eXtension: http://articles.extension.org/pages/71173/body-condition-scoring-apps-for-horses
Vaccinate 4 to 6 weeks prior to EFD. There is no transfer of immunity from mare to foal during pregnancy. Foals must consume high quality colostrum within the first 24 hours of life to receive protective antibodies into their blood-stream. Your goal is to boost immunity during the time the mare is producing colostrum in order to enhance colostrum quality at foaling. This is accomplished by vaccinating your mare a month before EFD for all core vaccines and any diseases endemic to your area or farm. Transfer of immunity through colostrum will provide the foal with protection for 4-5 months. Work with your veterinarian to plan the vaccination program appropriate for your area. Note that EHV1 (Rhino) can cause abortions in late pregnancy so EHV1 vaccine should be given during months 5, 7 and 9 of pregnancy. https://aaep.org/horse-owners/owner-guidelines/owner-vaccination-guidelines
Deworm with an effective dewormer on the schedule you have worked out with your veterinarian throughout pregnancy and when the mare is showing signs of approaching delivery. Egg shedding in parasites is extremely high during the spring months of foaling. Deworming very close to foaling can prevent threadworms from being passed in the mare’s milk and gives the foal a great start. https://aaep.org/guidelines/parasite-control-guidelines Open Caslick at least 30 days before EFD. This is usually done by your vet-erinarian. If a Caslick’s procedure was done on your mare in the previous breeding season and you fail to open the mare’s vulva, the mare will most certainly tear during delivery. Check the vulva frequently after opening be-cause it can heal closed again or become infected.
Check inventory and order supplies that will be needed at foaling and during breeding. If critical need items like frozen colostrum, IgG kits, or tetanus anti-toxin are not on hand, they should be readily obtainable. Mares are notorious for delivering when you least expect it.
Dr. Saundra TenBroeck - sht@ufl.edu University of Florida As we move into the early spring we begin to notice that, little by little, the days are getting longer. Mares bred in the previous spring are beginning to track wider. Anticipation of the upcoming foal crop should prompt you to make necessary preparations. As you devel-op the management calendar, you will need to work backwards from the EXPECTED FOALING DATE as all other preparations hinge on this point in time.
Calculating Expected Foaling Date (EFD). Look up your mare’s last ovulation date (or last breeding date) and count back 25 days on the calendar. Average gestation length for mares is 340 days so your mare will foal approximately one month earlier than the month you bred her. Gestation length varies a great deal (325 – 360 days). Mares foaling earlier in the year (January - early March) will have, on average, a 10 day longer gestation length than mares foaling later in the year (late March - May). Assess Body Condition Score (BCS) While lactating, your mares will be in a negative energy balance (burning body fat stores). In anticipation of the expected demands of lactation, assess BCS of your mare and feed her to a minimum score of 5.5 or 6 before foaling. This is best done in the second trimester of pregnancy. If you are unsure of how to evaluate BCS, contact your county agent or check out the app from eXtension: http://articles.extension.org/pages/71173/body-condition-scoring-apps-for-horses
Vaccinate 4 to 6 weeks prior to EFD. There is no transfer of immunity from mare to foal during pregnancy. Foals must consume high quality colostrum within the first 24 hours of life to receive protective antibodies into their blood-stream. Your goal is to boost immunity during the time the mare is producing colostrum in order to enhance colostrum quality at foaling. This is accomplished by vaccinating your mare a month before EFD for all core vaccines and any diseases endemic to your area or farm. Transfer of immunity through colostrum will provide the foal with protection for 4-5 months. Work with your veterinarian to plan the vaccination program appropriate for your area. Note that EHV1 (Rhino) can cause abortions in late pregnancy so EHV1 vaccine should be given during months 5, 7 and 9 of pregnancy. https://aaep.org/horse-owners/owner-guidelines/owner-vaccination-guidelines
Deworm with an effective dewormer on the schedule you have worked out with your veterinarian throughout pregnancy and when the mare is showing signs of approaching delivery. Egg shedding in parasites is extremely high during the spring months of foaling. Deworming very close to foaling can prevent threadworms from being passed in the mare’s milk and gives the foal a great start. https://aaep.org/guidelines/parasite-control-guidelines Open Caslick at least 30 days before EFD. This is usually done by your vet-erinarian. If a Caslick’s procedure was done on your mare in the previous breeding season and you fail to open the mare’s vulva, the mare will most certainly tear during delivery. Check the vulva frequently after opening be-cause it can heal closed again or become infected.
Check inventory and order supplies that will be needed at foaling and during breeding. If critical need items like frozen colostrum, IgG kits, or tetanus anti-toxin are not on hand, they should be readily obtainable. Mares are notorious for delivering when you least expect