Foal Handling 101

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Introduction to foal handling

Breeding a foal is an exciting venture, teeming with joy and challenges in equal measure. Whether you’re a seasoned horse breeder or you’re exploring this for the first time, the first year of a foal’s life is an exhilarating period filled with vital growth stages. This guide will delve into a foals first month of handling.

The role of your Veterinarian

Involving a skilled and experienced veterinarian in your breeding journey is an absolute must. From the pre-breeding stage to postnatal care. A vet’s expert knowledge and skills can be indispensable and if you have access to a vet that specialises in horse breeding that is even better and often in the long run less costly. We are very fortunate that we have a couple of amazing vets onboard. Their experience and knowledge has achieved positive pregnancies and foaling due to their correct method used at the correct time.

During the pregnency of a mare ensure you observe her mind and body. Note any change in  health and call your veterinarian when you see signs of not being well. Losing a mare and her unborn is tragic or having a foal born unwell due to the mare not being well also most of the time has a bad outcome. Be vigilant and call the expert on time.

The preparation prior to foaling

Closer to the day of foaling the mare’s body and mind will go through a massive change to prepare for the birth. You should notice the following:

• About 2-6 weeks her udder distension begins.
• About 7-19 days prior the area around the tail head, buttocks, lips of the vulva will also relax.
• About 4-6 days prior to foaling her teat nippes fill with milk and
• about 2-4 days before having her little baby she might wax up. Not all mares do.
• About 24hrs before giving birth her belly shape will change as the foal reposition itself in readyness to come out feet first and bum last so the belly gets more pointy towards the ground.
• Let’s hope that there is no colostrum dripping as the loss of it results in inadequate supply for the newborn foal to give him the nessesary nutriates to build his immunity system as foals do not have one when born and are super fragile.

Keep a close eye on her during this time and make sure her paddock/stable is set up for her and the foal to be safe and comfortable with fresh water and feed.

When the awaited day arrives the mare usually becomes nervous and uneasy. She might go down and get up frequently showing mild colic symptoms and twitches with her tail. There might also be sweating and frequent urination. All of these signs are normal.  During this time breeders often use a Foaling alarms as it alerts them of the mare getting ready to give birth. Magic Breed is the alarm we leased and used during the first few seasons in our breeding career many years ago and I understand that these can be leased these days.

The birth of a foal

Should you be fortunate enough to be there when the foal is born try to give your mare and foal space. Let her do her job and if there is no need don’t interfere and distract her from this special moment which is between her and her newborn.

There are a few milestones a foal has to achieve in the first few hours and any interference might cause issues later. The golden rule is that a foal stands within one hour. It should then nurse within two hours and mares should pass their fetal membranes within three hours of delivery. That would be the 1-2-3 rules as per the research done by Dr B Delvescovo.

The next thing to watch for is that the newborn foal is passing its first sticky and dark poop, called meconium.  Often foals get a bit distracted and tired when they are putting effort into this process. An enema can help them and allow them time and energy to focus on standing and nursing. Ask your vet about this procedure so that you can apply it if need be.

During the fist 12 hours it is vital that the foal receives an adequate volume of good quality colostrum. This will start activating its digestive system and build its immune system.  Colostral antibodies will reduce the risk of infections. Also make sure your foal has its first pee.

It is always advisable to have a new foal checked over by your vet within the first 18-24 hrs and also check the mare for any potential issues caused at birth. Over the next few days if the foal and mare is kept in a stable ensure a high level of hygiene is kept as foals have a weak immune system when they are first born.

If possible get your mare and foal out into the paddocks if the conditions allow it. Foals need to move to strenghten their little body and start inspecting their surroundings to get to know the world and get confident.

Start handling a newborn foal

I understand that foals are just super cute. One could spend all day with them and find reasons to handle them.   It is however very important not to humanise a foal and not to over-handle the animal. The foal needs to understand you are not a playmate! A foal that does treat you like a playmate might hurt you in play by kicking or rearing and striking at a later stage.

We start the handling process of a foal within the first 8 hours of its life (Imprint Training, Dr R.M.Miller). The foal gets systematically touched from head to toe while the mare is usually asleep and resting from the birth.  This is done either while it is resting on the ground or standing up holding it in a cradle. We also attend to the little stump of the ambilical cord and disenfect it to ensure no bacteria is going to enter and cause infection.

Day two is usually spent with a short visit to attend to the mare in particular if all is well with the foal. We try to make a big fuss out of the mare afterall she is the one that has gifted us with a new beautiful foal.  The foal usually notices that and is often curious to know what is happening and wants to get to know you.  Gradually, time is then spent handling the foal a little bit, giving scratches and gently stroke them all over. As the foal felt these touches before they are usully ok with it.

Milestones in handling a foal

My daily handling program of foals in their first couple of weeks of their life includes a daily walk with their mother out of their paddock where we go and explore. I call these the ‘Adventure Walks’ and the aim is to foster curiosity and build confidence in the baby horse. I also believe the mum gains confidence letting her foal go a little when she experiences how well it is doing the walks.

After these short walks we use basic communication tools like body language, touch and voice to start achieving the foundation steps below:

• Standing still
• Going forward
• Stopping when asked
• Yield forehand from pressure
• Yield hindquarters from pressure
• Yield backwards from pressure
• Come towards me

Usually after a couple of weeks the foal has these mastered.  Timing in your approach and retreat is crucial and the consistancy of your aids. No different from an older horse except foals might be more instinctive so take your time. During performing these activities I introduce my training string (Parelli Savvy String) which is a fine rope that I can rub them with, lay over them, use as a lead or eventually introduced as a halter. I found a foal slip of great use after that.

An additional very beneficial exercise is to ride your mare out with her foal in a safe area. Again this can increase the foals confidence with its environment and also foster curiosity and furthermore it is great excersise for the mare to loose her ‘baby belly’.

Rewarding a foal

When handling a foal or any horse my moto is ‘How little can I do to get the outcome I am looking for’. Handling and working with foals refines my skills. Remember, foal handling isn’t just about teaching the foal; it’s also about learning from the foal. Pay attention to their reactions and behaviors. If they seem uncomfortable or scared, take a step back and slow down the process. Patience and understanding play a significant role in successful foal handling. The foal will tell you when it is ready to be haltered accepting that fact will assist later in its attitude, confidence and training overall. With time, consistent efforts will yield a well-socialized and well-adjusted young horse.

You know you done a good job at foal handling when your foal stays with you once they back in their paddock.  You also know it must have been fun when they turn up the next day at the gate or come running up to you with their mum behind trying to keep up.

The Journey of Foal to Yearling

The initial 12 months of a foal’s existence is a journey brimming with growth and transformation. For the first month of their life, the primary activities for foals are nursing, resting, and exploring their environment.

By the time they reach the one-month mark, foals will begin to nibble on grass and hay. By three months, their diet significantly consists of forage.

Regular veterinary visits throughout this crucial year ensure that the foal is growing appropriately and allows for any health concerns to be addressed promptly. Foals should be tought in the daily handling skills and prepared by then for vet and farrier visits.

At around six months, the weaning process commences, where they transition from being dependent on their mother’s milk to a diet of solid food. Throughout this period, a foal experiences rapid growth and sees substantial development in their musculoskeletal system.

Foals naturally engage in bouts of playful frolicking, which serves as the perfect exercise, promoting healthy bone and muscle development.

Growth and development are influenced by heredity, gender, nutrition, and exercise. A 2-month-old foal should be eating 2 pounds of feed per day.

Fun facts on foals

Let me share some fun facts with you about how to measure a foals future hight:

• Measure elbow to the mid-fetlock with a string. First, hold the string against the foal’s elbow, and measure the length to the fetlock; then, flip or turn the lower end of the string up, and hold it so it is perpendicular to the ground against the foal’s withers. This is thought to indicate the foal’s final height.
• The second way is to hold a string between the center of the knee and the hairline at the coronet band at the top of the hoof. If the measurement is 14.5 inches, the foal’s final height will be 14.2HH (hands high). If the measurement is 16 inches, the foal’s final height will be 16HH. While breeders may use these methods to get an approximation, neither are 100 percent accurate.

Foal handling summary

In conclusion, the journey from a newborn foal to a yearling is a transformative phase. As the foal’s caretaker, providing them with the necessary care, diet, and socialization opportunities will enable them to transition smoothly into their next phase of life – the yearling stage. More about that in my next blog.

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