Caring for Mares & Foals

Lesson 3: Preparing For the Foal

The Foaling Kit

The following list of items should be available and easily accessible. When you need something in a hurry, it is frustrating and could be dangerous to your mare or foal not to be able to lay hands on it. Store the items in your kit in a dry, safe place; away from dust, perhaps inside a cabinet or plastic bags.

1. Equine rectal thermometer, preferably a digital that beeps when ready to be read 2. Halter (for mare) 3. Lead rope 4. Twitch 5. Chain shank 6. Clean buckets (2 minimum) 7. Tail wrap 8. Baler twine 9. Mild soap 10. Flashlight with spare batteries 11. Clean bandage scissors 12. Wristwatch or clock 13. Shoulder length plastic gloves-sterile and individually wrapped 14. Plastic garbage bags 15. 5 tubes of sterile nonspermicial lubricating jelly 16. Clean soft terry towels, washcloths 17. Tincture of 2% iodine 18. 2 Fleet enemas 19. Baby bottle and sterile nipple (best is lamb nipple and pop bottle) 20. Telephone number for vet 21. Plan for emergency situations-trailer available to travel with newborn or mare in such an emergency, map of where you would go, money set aside for gas 22. Source of colostrum (preferably in your freezer) Also check with your vet for any drugs they think you should have on hand. Some books recommend Dipyrone for pain and increased milk flow. Most every vet also recommends a tetanus antitoxin for the foal.

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