Horse Health – A New Arrival
Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
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The arrival of a new foal is a time of such excitement and joy. The health of your mare and her newborn has to be a prime consideration and you need to be well prepared. Horse health is so dependent on a good regime and this is even more important for a pregnant mare. She needs good food, maybe even some supplements under the guidance of your Vet. You need to help her build up the stamina and strength she is going to need to carry the foal, give birth and then nurture the little one. Your Vet should be your constant source of information and advice, especially if this is the first time you have bred horses, checking your mare regularly to make sure she is OK.
Most times the mare will give birth on her own with little help or intervention from you, and that is as it should be but sometimes you just might have to help. Talking to your vet before hand will help you to know what is normal, and how to spot if things are going wrong. Make sure you have all the things you might need to hand – including the telephone number of the vet!
Once the time comes you should be around, but keep your distance unless you are needed, just enjoy the special moment when the new foal makes his appearance and bonds with his mother. There is nothing quite so special to any equestrian as being there at that moment. It seems to create a special bond between you and the horse when he grows up and you start to ride him. Most times the Mare knows just exactly what to do and gets on with the job in hand, cleaning and nursing the foal through those first moments of life when he is just a little unsteady and unsure.
Just as a word to the wise – if you must take your camera to record the moment, please be careful of the flash, it can frighten a new baby and doesn’t do much for Mum’s equilibrium either. If she is startled she may hurt her foal which would be tragic after all you care of your horse’s health.
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