Countdown to 2010 Foals
Today for the first time, I saw that Foxy is just starting to bag up, which last time she did around 4 weeks prior to foaling. No significant signs yet on the other 3 mares but still it’s time to get the foaling box ready! As advised by our first class mentors at the Dilston Stud, we keep an annual record of each mare and each foaling as it helps to look back and see any trends. Close observation is now the key and we watch for any out of character behaviour prior to foaling which can be small things like laying down more or being alone.
In preparation, we’ve just purchased a flash new dog rug for any early foals - black with silver stars! We use them when they are newly born and the weather is cold.
18 - 20″ seem about the right size for newborns.

As well as having the obvious handy - clean bucket/warm water, mobile phone, vets number, headcollar etc, in our foaling box we keep:
- Tail bandage
- Lubrel lubricant
- Sterilised scissors, cord & string
- Enemas
- Plastic bags / bin bag for afterbirth
- Hand wipes / kitchen roll
- Clean Towels
- Purple spray for foals navel
- Jug for expressing colostrum/milk & feeding bottle
- Large syringe
- Hibiscrub
- Disposable gloves
- Wound powder
- Torch
- Camera & video [though never used video!] - with full charge!
We’ll no doubt realise we’ve forgotten something! With all the best intentions of scrubbing hands with hibiscrub, often there’s little time and events seem to take over with some of the fast foalings we’ve had.
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