Foal Care

My mare had her foal, now what do I do?

Within 12 HOURS of birth…

-Iodine navel (do 2-3 times within the first 24 hours of birth)

-Give enema

-Observe passage of meconium, normal urination and ingestion of colostrum (within 3 hours of birth)

-Make sure mom and baby are getting along well and mom is allowing baby to nurse

Within 12-48 hours of birth…

-Have DVM examine foal, mare and placenta (make sure you keep this after foaling!)

-Have DVM give Vitamin E-Se to foal

-Run blood test to document colostrum absorption (IgG level)

-Have bloodwork run, if wanted or warranted by DVM

Within 2 months of birth…

-Deworm foal with Strongid or Anthelcide ***See our deworming page for more details!!!

At 3 months of age…

-Start vaccinations if mare was not vaccinated within 30 days of foaling, which will include the following vaccines: Rabies, Tetanus toxoid. Eastern and Western Encelphalomyelitides, Influenze/Rhinopneumonitis, Potomac Horse Fever and West Nile (as well as Strangles if it is a herd problem)

At 4 months of age…

-Deworm foal with Strongid or Anthelcide

-Booster for all the vaccines that were given in month 3

At 6 months of age…

-Deworm foal with an Ivermectin dewormer ***See our deworming page for more details!!!

-Start vaccinations if mare was vaccinated within 30 days

At 7 months of age…

Booster vaccinations if they were started at 6 months of age

At 8 months of age…

-Deworm foal with an Ivermectin dewormer

-Trim feet, if needed

At 10 months of age…