Caring for Mares & Foals

Lesson 2: Caring for the Broodmare

Vaccinations

Assuming your mare is up-to-date on her vaccinations, particularly after visiting the stallion farm, she will need boosters for equine rhinopnuemonitis at the fifth, seventh, and ninth month. Then, four to six weeks before her “due date”, she should be given boosters for Eastern and Western equine enchalomyelitis, tetanus, and influenza. Make sure it is labeled safe for pregnant mares. These shots will cause the mare to manufacture antibodies that the foal will get through the mare’s colostrum. If there is any other problem in your area, you may want to also boost with the appropriate vaccine. Examples of such might be rabies, strangles, or Potomac Horse Fever. In any case, you should speak with your veterinarian and see what he or she recommends.

  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8