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Sunshines foaling * Update * He is Here *

108K views 1K replies 89 participants last post by  KyMoMoF3CuTiEs 
#1 ·
So, I am a little nervous, excited, and well I am just unsure of how to handle myself. We bought a great mare today!! Perfect for my kids, she just happens to be bred. Looks to be about ready to pop. I checked when I got her home and she has no waxing and looks to be closed up so I don't think it will be in the near like week or so. Just wanted to kinda keep up with what is going on and maybe have some people to back me up and give me as much knowledge as I can take in. I have raised several foals so this aint the first but, still a nervous situation.
So.... this is what I know she is a 12 year old QH around 14.5 hh. The studs got in the pasture with her 2 times, the owner was unsure of which stud she is bred by. So, today starts the foal watching and waiting. Please join me for support!
 
#3 ·
Ok, so these are a few I got today, it is storming and really nasty so I couldn't get any when we got her home But, I will load some after work tomorrow from check before work.
 

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#6 · (Edited)
Here's some great tips on preparing for a foal.

Flashlight & Batteries Many mares foal at night or early in the morning, so keep these on hand to provide light.
Plastic Bag To put placenta in. Placenta should be examined to make sure that there are no holes, tears, or pieces missing (which would mean that a piece could still be in the mare and could lead to infection)
String To tie off umbilical cord if it doesn’t break. Or tie up placenta if mare does not drop it right away (tie it to itself to prevent the mare from stepping on and pulling it out)
Scissors To cut string, or tough sac around foal, or to cut string or suture material to tie off cord. Iodine 7% and film canister
To dip foal’s umbilical stump - pour iodine in clean film canister & dip foal's umbilical stup in it. This will help prevent infection. Betadine can also be used.
Mild soap & warm water or BetadineTo wash mare (vulva, udders) prior to foaling. This will help prevent infection.
Dry washclothes and towels .To grasp foal to pull if needed, clean foal and mare if needed.Frozen colostrum To give foal if mare does not produce colostrum.
Plastic Gloves To keep hands clean Vetrap To wrap mare's tail prior to foaling.Notepad & pencils
To record time, mare’s behavior, how foaling goes
Two Enemas In case foal does not pass meconium (first poop). Consult a vet before administering, as it is easy to cause a perforation of the bowel which can kill a foal.
Vaseline To lubricate hands if necessary to reposition foal
Twitch If mare rejects or attacks foalHalter & lead ropes (including stud chain)To move, tie, or restrain mare if necessary.
Clean bucket To rinse hands, foal, mare
Watch To keep track of time
Paper towels To clean yourself, mare, foal, etc.
Cordless or Cell phone To call your vet in case of a problem without having to leave your mare.


When the foal is born:
Make sure the foal's nostrils are clear so it can breathe. If needed, you can dry the foal with a towel (most mares will clean their foals). Treat foal's umbilical stump with iodine for the first several days to prevent infection.

Normal Foals will:
Get up within an hour
Nurse within 2-4 hours (they must nurse within 24)
Pass meconium (first poop) by 6 hours

Mare care:
Clean mare/wrap tail before foaling
After foaling, she should stand within 30 minutes
Placenta should be dropped within about 3 hours
Tie up placenta if it is not dropped right away so it is not stepped on and pulled out (tie it to itself)
Do not pull placenta out, as it can rip and remain in mare (causing infection)
 
#8 · (Edited)
awww what a sweet mare. Kids and horses are the cutest thing in the world.

I'm a huge fan of QH/Arab mixes... can't wait to see the foal, hope all goes well! Do you know if she's had a foal before?

If you've had foals in the past I'm sure you know that generally all goes completely well, without any intervention from you whatsoever. But it's alllllways good to be prepared "just in case"
 
#10 ·
She's a darling girl. Will you be keeping the baby?

More than likely she'll have that baby when you are not around. They always seem to do that.
 
#13 ·
Here are a few pics I got this evening when I got home and checked on Sunshine, this is where she will be put when she foals. What do you all think? We have no lights out there yet but will by this weekend, I have taken extra shifts at work at night to buy extra things to upgrade everything I have because we have not had mares foal in a few years. The pics aren't great as I took them with my camera on my phone we will let her out with our other mare in the morning I will grab so pics then too. She came right up to me and loved on me :) wanted kisses! I love this mare!!
 

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#16 ·
From the first pics where you have the kid on the mare, she looks to still be carrying from side to side and not dropped yet. Can't tell if she's looking like she's started bagging or not yet.

What do I rely on for foaling:

(I now have my dream foaling stall, power for lights and a camera so I can watch from inside the house.)

Power for lights
Lights
Camera
Straw for bedding
5 gal bucket w/lid for placenta
Shot glass (for dipping the umbilical stump)
7% Iodine (if you can get it, I haven't been able too for the last 2 years, f'n drug addicts anyhow)
Towels
Foal Saver Blanket
Tube of Colostrum for the foal, if needed
IgG test
Predict A Foal Kit, I LOVE THIS THING! It's not a necessity, but it sure does give a good heads up.

This year, I was looking at Honey and she looked like, "Yeah, tonight's the night", but I was figuring on past midnight. I did the foaling prediction and RAN to town to finish up my last minute things I needed and when I got back she was dropping down to foal. If I hadn't done the kit, I'd have missed the whole thing because I'd have taken my time in town. Because the test changed color so fast, I KNEW that baby was coming quick.
 
#17 ·
Yes, I am planning on keeping the foal. I will have to run to the rural king in town tomorrow to see what all they have. We have cords ran for electric because we run fans during summer, just have to get some lights hooked up. You all are so great! Thanks!
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#18 ·
Oh, and also I have heard and read mixed feelings on this but was wondering if it would be ok to just set my kids on her while I walk her to the barn for maybe 10 minutes a few times a week to get her use to them and them to her. I know after she foals we will not do this and once I see sure signs that she will foal within the next few weeks then I will stop, the lady talked like they rode her all the time so she should be fit.
 
#20 ·
*Pictues*

I let Sunshine out today to meet her new friend, I think things went well. No kicking, hollering, or running. (yet) The mare she is out with has a misplaced cantle ? sis in law said? bone so she can't really run and kick as she may like to but, both was well mannered mares this morning. :)
 

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#21 ·
We have posts set to section off a piece to resow seed, so thats what the posts are that you see in the pictures. Here is some more, I will get close ups in a bit of Sunshine, I think she don't look preggo this morning, her belly has settled. Worries me a little.
 

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#22 ·
Sunshine is settled in well, as far as I can tell. At feeding time this evening our other mare was a little feisty and wanted to show who was boss, but Sunshine just walked away. She came up to me and wanted loving! I gave her some treats and she is just a doll! More pictures tomorrow! I will get close ups this time!
 
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