Caring for Mares & Foals

Lesson 6: Caring For the Newborn Foal

Nursing

As soon as the foal has achieved some control and balance it should begin searching for the teat. It is best if you have washed the mare’s udder before this part. (see lesson 4-prpartration). I usually allow some time on its own to observe it to determine how strong its drive to nurse is. A foal normally nurses within the first three hours. Then we step in. Most foals will nurse sooner with a little help and once it has nursed you are over a major hurdle. Sometimes, however, if you try to force a foal it will expend its energy resisting rather than searching for the nipple. It is better to support and encourage than to force. You can sometimes get the foal sucking on your finger, then lure its mouth to the teat and make the switch from finger to teat.

A foal’s stomach is very small; it can hold about twelve ounces. Therefore, it will need to nurse often. The mare’s colostrum, containing the life protecting antibodies, must be ingested within the first eight to twelve hours, for with each passing hour the intestinal tract closes more against the ability to absorb the antibodies. To be adequately covered the foal needs about thirty ounces of colostrum during this time. This is important to know in case you need to bottle feed the foal for any reason. You should have a source of colostrum at hand for such circumstances. Sometimes it is enough to milk your mare (a weak foal). If you need to thaw colostrum-DON’T MICROWAVE IT! Overheating it kills the antibodies. The best method is to immerse the bottle in hot tap water until it is the desired temperature. It should feel almost hot to the inside of your wrist. If you need to purchase colostrum you can find sources on the internet or call: CVM, LACS, Dept 225 Teaching Hospital 1365 Gortner Ave, St Paul, MN 55108 (612) 647-8391.

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