Welcome to e-Tips!
Welcome to the December e-Tips brought to you by My Horse University and eXtension. As we end the year, we are looking forward to the 2009 foal crop. Prepare for your new addition by reading the foaling article from Dr. Kathleen Anderson, eXtension HorseQuest member. Don't forget to sign up for the free webcast, The Foaling Process: Preparations and Process featuring Dr. Kathleen Anderson on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. EST.
Get a fresh start on 2009 by signing up for the FREE Environmental Webcast Series that will help you provide a greener environment for your horse.
Finally, My Horse University wishes you a happy holiday season with a 15% discount on all MHU online courses. See you in 2009!
Did you know...?
 The ultimate goal of any breeding operation should be both maximal foaling and a high survival rate of foals. Most mares will have a normal parturition if left unattended. However, the value of broodmares and their progeny can make leaving the process to nature an expensive gamble. As the value of mares and foals rise, having someone present during foaling can be valuable, allowing for immediate assistance to both mare and foal, if needed. Read on...
Click here for additional resources on the foaling process.
This Month's e-Tips
Foaling Time Line: Before your mare foals, make sure you have a good understanding of the chain of events and their time frame before, during and after foaling.
Before Foaling:
- 45-30 days - Consult with your veterinarian to vaccinate mare (generally for sleeping sickness, influenza and tetanus).
- 30 days - Remove Caslicks sutures in mare.
- 3 weeks - Place mare in quiet, clean foaling environment (barn or grassy pasture) and allow for ample exercise.
- 1 week - disinfect foaling stall thoroughly (if foaling in a stall) and bed with 8 - 10 inches of dry straw.
Foaling:
Stage 1 (1 - 4 hours duration) - mare may show signs of discomfort or restlessness.
- Call veterinarian to alert of mare's status in case of emergency .
- Clean mare's vulva and wrap tail.
Stage 2 (10 - 30 minutes duration) - Onset when mare's water breaks, mare goes into a hard labor and foal is delivered.
- Record time when water breaks (beginning stage 2).
- Call veterinarian immediately if foal is out of position or mare is in stage 2 for more than 45 minutes without delivery of foal.
Stage 3 (3 - 4 hours after foal delivery) - passing the placenta (afterbirth).
- Disinfect foal's umbilical stump.
- Record time when foal stands, defecates and nurses - call veterinarian if foal hasn't nursed by 2 hours after delivery.
- Examine mare's placenta - call veterinarian if mare hasn't passed her placenta in 4 hours or if there are missing pieces of the placenta.
Question of the Month
Choose the best answer:
To "winterize" your horses and help protect them against cold stress, you should:
a) Provide shelter from wind and moisture
b) Feed more grain to increase internal heat production
c) Feed more hay to increase internal heat production
d) Blanket horses with short hair coats
e) Keep horses in warm stalls and avoid cold weather
f) a, b and e
g) a, c and d
Click here for the answer!
Photo of the Month
This is Logan (12) and her Arabian mare ATA Starr Afire, the night before a horse show. They have been competing together at 4-H for two years in Barry County, Michigan. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Slocum.
Want your extraordinary equine featured in the next Photo of the Month?
Send your photo along with your name and a little background info to info@myhorseuniversity.com.
Write "Photo of the Month" in the subject line. |
December 2008
In This Issue
Gold Sponsor
Purina Mills is a proud sponsor of My Horse University and eXtension.
News & Updates
Join us for a FREE live Webcast!
The Foaling Process:
Preparations and Process
Dr. Kathy Anderson
Monday, December 15, 2008
7:00 p.m. EST
Managing Your Horse's Environment FREE Webcast Series by MHU/eXtension:
Intro to Environmentally Friendly Horse Management
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
7:00 p.m. EST
Pasture Management for Horse Acreages
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
7:00 p.m. EST
Horse Manure: A Renewable Resource
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
7:00 p.m. EST
NCSU Horse Breeding Management & Transported Semen Short Course
Raleigh, NC
December 10, 2008
Maryland Horse World Expo
Maryland State Fairgrounds
Timonium, MD
January 17, 2009
NCSU Advanced Level Horse Breeding Short Course
NCSU Equine Educational Unit
Raleigh, NC
January 24, 2009
NCSU Horse Facility Short Course
Hampton Inn & Suites
Raleigh, NC
February 26, 2009
Ask the Experts
eXtension invites you to Ask the Experts your horse-related questions
Free Horse Learning Lessons
eXtension's team of horse experts have developed specialized lessons on various topics.
Happy Holidays!
Enjoy a 15% discount on all MHU online courses!
NEW! MHU Horse
Nutrition Course
Give your horse the edge with proper nutrition by taking the new online Horse Nutrition Course.
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