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Foaling Kit

I Am Ranch Miniature Horses is sharing with you what we do to maintain the health of our horses. We advise you to consult your veterinarian before making any changes in your horse's health care. The information found on our website is not to supersede the advise of your veterinarian. I AM Ranch Miniature Horses cannot be held liable for the care of your horse(s).

Fingernail clipper. Clip and file my fingernails before the excitement starts.

Small notepad and pen/pencil to record birthing statistics.

Vet's number - Call and notify him that things are progressing. Keep a back up number handy.

Telephone with vet on speed dial!

Pages of tips from books/websites that may help you in time of emergency or dystocia. Click here to read more.

Camera

Towels - make sure they are clean (no dryer sheets used), super absorbent

Betadine or Iodine (2% or greater) for the baby's naval stump. I either dip the cord or spray it. The spray Iodine comes in handy for treating the hooves, too.

Premixed Betadine - wash my hands and arms if I need to enter momma.

Arm length rubber gloves

KY Jelly or Vaseline - buy multiples at the dollar store. It will be contaminated afterwards so be prepared to throw it out.

Craft stick cut to make a sharp edge (click here to read Red bag information)

Flashlight/Headlight.

Ivermectrin wormer for the mare after birth. (prevent threadworms in the foal and scours)

Fleet baby enema.

Thermometer

Foal blankets. (Wash with no dryer sheets. Mares have attacked their own foals if the smell of another is on the blanket) (It helps to rub the blanket on the mare before you put it on her foal)

Heat lamp

Suction bulb

Dental floss - to tie cord if needed.

Baling twine (better yet would be some new, clean shoelaces) to grab slippery foal if need be.

Banamine Do not give until after she delivers the placenta. (1cc per 100 lbs)

Oxytocin (1.5cc per 100lbs)

Vetwrap to tie up placenta and prevent the mare from stepping on it.

Sheet to spread out the placenta for examination o

Rubbing alcohol and knife to cut umbilical cord if I can't tear it.

Hemostats.

Bucket/trash bag to dispose of the placenta. Before disposing, make sure it is all there. You can fill it with water to check for missing pieces. Check the cord and note color, size, etc.

Bran for mom after birthing is complete.

Tums - to help counteract a rare case of eclampsia, pre-eclampsia or tetany

Plastic Cup - to mix together about 1/2 teaspoon of the colostrum with a few drops of umbilical cord blood.(or one drop of blood to one drop colostrum). If the mixture separates, do not let the foal drink. Call the vet. The foal could die after drinking the colostrum due to a condition called neonatal isoerythrolysis (aka jaundice) If the mixture does not separate, all is well.  This condition will not show up the first time a mare and stallion produce,  but only on their subsequent breedings.

Wash cloth/jug of very warm water - rinse the birthing fluids off of the udder before baby drinks. This can also help stimulate milk let down.

Ascertain that your new baby is getting the colostrum!

Syringe that has the top cut off, the plunger is backwards to make a breast pump for momma's teats. Pancake Syrup may be needed for an energy boost for baby.

Freezer-safe ziploc bags to "bank" some colostrum for the future if needed.

Measuring tape (ruler) to measure the cannon bones and height of the new baby.

Extra people means extra help in time of need.

As each mare foals, prepare a colostrum bank by milking out a little bit from each mare right after she has her baby.  Milking into the vials that syringes come in work perfectly and are future single serving sizes. Store in a dark bag in your freezer and date the vial with a sharpie. Colostrum can be stored for a year.