Caring for Mares & Foals

Lesson 8: The Older Foal

Worming, Vaccinations

Internal parasites are terribly detrimental to the growing foal. Often displaying other symptoms is merely a symptom of worms. For example, a lack of appetite and a cough is usually a sign of worms, not a cold.

Between four and six weeks you should first worm the foal, and then once a month for the first year. Warning however: The miracle common wormer Ivermectin does not kill ascarids, the major parasitic threat to foals and young horses. If Ivermectin is used exclusively, it kills other worms, which actually allows the ascarids to flourish. To kill the ascarids, use a bendazole wormer (read the labels on the wormers). See chart page 153 “Blessed Are the Foals” by Phyllis Lose.

At about four months a foal's immune system starts to function and therefore only after this time is a vaccine effective. Phyllis Lose suggests flu and tetanus at 4 months; 4 ½ month a rhino shot; at five months boost the flu and tetanus; at 5 ½ months boost the rhino; and at six months give a rabies vaccine. You can give encephalitis anytime after four months, and anything else your vet recommends. As always, follow the recommendations of your vet over any other source, including this course.

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