Preparing For The Event … What To Have On Hand When Waiting For A Foaling
By: Karen A. Fildes (with tips from Barb Young and Teresa Kearney)

Amid all the excitement that surrounds the birth of our new ponies, it is important to take the time and the steps to prepare ourselves for as many possible foaling scenarios as we can. One step in this preparation is to make sure that we have a well stocked Foaling Kit available and close at hand.

Begin to gather the necessary components early (the gathering of the contents can actually be a very exciting part of the foaling process!), and store them in a waterproof container with a tight lid. The containers made by Rubbermaid or other plastic makers are perfect holders. By storing the Foaling kit this way it can be left in the barn without fear of it getting wet or damaged and will always be right at hand.

The absolute basics of what should be included are:

• Digital Thermometer (optionally you can include the plastic sleeves that cover the thermometer for preventing any cross-contamination and for cleanliness)

• Disinfectant, such as Betadine or Iodine solution

• Sterile Cotton

• Clean Medicine Dose Cup, such as the kind that comes on medicine bottles like Pepto Bysmol. This will be used when dipping the foal’s umbilical cord into the disinfectant to prevent infection

• 4” x 4” sterile Gauze Pads

• Clean Tail wrap (such as Vetrap)

• A mild Soap, such as Ivory, for cleaning the mare. One tip is to cut a bar of Ivory into small cubes and store them in a Ziploc-type bag. When needed, simply drop a few cubes into a warm bucket of water

• K-Y or other Lubricating Jelly

• Long OB-style Vet Sleeves

• Bulb Aspirator

• At least 2 Enemas in case the foal is having difficulty passing manure

• Scissors

• Several Large Towels to help dry the foal off. Smaller towels can also be included

• Mare’s Halter

• Telephone or Cell Phone with Vet’s phone numbers clearly posted

Other items that can be very helpful include:

• Watch or Clock to record events as they occur and for measuring respiration

• Hay Twine to tie up the umbilical cord while waiting for the placenta to be expelled

• Stethoscope

• Hemostats to stop bleeding from an umbilical cord or other wounds sustained

• Bottle (soda type is fine) with Nipple and Milk Replacer – just in case

• Disposable gloves (another pair of gardening type gloves with pimples helps should you need to help pull out a slippery foal and need some grip)

• A Bucket with a top lined with a garbage bag in which to place the expelled placenta until the vet can check it. ** A great tip by Teresa Kearney of Redbud Stable is to place the placenta in cold water in the bucket to minimize the smell and make it less attractive to pets like dogs.

Keep the Foaling Kit close by the mare’s stall (which of course has been well-cleaned and bedded with straw by this time) along with a clipboard and pen, with the Ponyworld Foaling Attendant Recording Form ready to record the important milestones of the delivery. These forms can be filed and used the next time the mare foals to learn their individual foaling patterns.

Being organized ahead of time makes the foaling event far more comfortable and allows the attendant more time to relax and enjoy the new arrival!