| If you have a mare that is due to foal and you have | | | | protruding objects including feed bins and waters |
| decided to use a foaling stall, then there are some | | | | should be removed, and thoroughly sanitized also. Pay |
| important considerations that you must acknowledge | | | | attention to the ventilation in your foaling stall and |
| prior to the event of foaling down indoors. Nature | | | | make sure that the mare is able to move freely |
| has always allowed mares to foal outside in a place | | | | without creating a dust problem. Many bedding |
| where the mare felt most secure and was able to | | | | choices will increase the dust that becomes airborne |
| give birth without any predators to contend with. | | | | and so choosing the right type of bedding will help to |
| Nowadays, we tend to manage the birthing of | | | | eliminate this problem. |
| horses and therefore the foaling stall is something | | | | Straw can have a high dust volume and using |
| that has become common practice with many horse | | | | excessive amounts in a stall can create respiratory |
| breeders. One of the biggest considerations is the | | | | problems for horses. Foals in particular do not need |
| room that you are able to offer the mare. The stall | | | | to compromise the quality of air they need to |
| should be approximately twice the size of a regular | | | | breathe and so it is important to choose a dust free |
| stall - at least. Ideally your stall measurements would | | | | or dust reduced bedding for the stall. By combining |
| be 12' x 24' to allow for optimum foaling conditions. | | | | rubber horse stall matting with your choice of |
| Preparing for the foaling well ahead of time will | | | | bedding you will greatly reduce the amount of |
| ensure that you have all that is required to allow for | | | | bedding required to keep the mare and foal |
| a (hopefully) incident free foaling down. The stall | | | | comfortable. This in turn will help to reduce the |
| should be completely stripped bare and disinfected | | | | amount of dust that can affect your mare and foal. |
| long before the mare is to be placed in there. By | | | | The right type of bedding materiel differs greatly and |
| removing all of the old or current bedding you are | | | | is often times dependent upon an owners budget |
| able to assess the flooring of the stall. Take a look at | | | | and experience. Many breeders believe that saw dust |
| the surface of the flooring and look for any dips, | | | | can clog and clot in a newborn foals nose and mouth |
| holes or indentations if it is an earth or similar surface. | | | | when born and should be avoided. Others believe |
| If it is a concrete or timber floor then care should be | | | | that straw is deep enough to allow the mare to |
| taken to ensure that there are no wear patches in | | | | comfortably give birth and allows the foal to find |
| the timber, and if so, it should be replaced fully rather | | | | traction when trying to stand. The best way to |
| than patched up. Timber will rot with moisture and | | | | ensure that you use a minimal amount of bedding and |
| usage and damage to a timber horse stall floor is bad | | | | yet still be able to offer maximum comfort is to lay |
| news for the stall owner when it comes to | | | | specialized horse stall rubber matting down. |
| maintenance, as it will need to be completely | | | | Once the foal is born, the mare will encourage it to |
| removed and replaced. | | | | stand and suckle. When this happens the foal will |
| Should the surface of the flooring be earth or earth | | | | need a surface where it can easily grip in order to |
| related, such as clay or limestone, then efforts should | | | | stand within minutes. Considering the amount of fluids |
| be made to keep the surface as even as possible. | | | | that are evident when foaling, the need to have a |
| Many times horses that are stalled can develop bad | | | | high traction flooring is pivotal. Rubber mats can offer |
| habits such as pawing, especially around feeders or | | | | the best in traction regardless of whether the mat is |
| water bins. The entry area is also a high traffic spot | | | | dry or wet. This can be essential in getting a foal up |
| that should be evened out if there is a particular drop | | | | and suckling as soon as possible, and any delay in this |
| in level there as well. | | | | first suckle should be avoided. |
| One of the most effective ways to get optimum | | | | Once the foal is born then the stall should be spot |
| wear out of your foaling stall would be to carefully | | | | cleaned for at least 48 hours while the mare bonds |
| consider what material you will use beneath your | | | | with her offspring. Cleaning manure and checking that |
| horses feet. A very popular material is horse stall | | | | the foal has had its first bowel movements is |
| rubber matting. Many of the reasons why horse | | | | imperative to the health and well being of the mare |
| owners choose this flooring option comes down to | | | | and foal. Use rounded edge, rubber type feed bins in |
| the safety for the horse, as well as comfort, less | | | | the stall as well as water supply so that the foal |
| bedding requirements and also warmth. | | | | does not knock or damage itself on them. Make sure |
| Should you choose to use rubber matting in your | | | | there is a light within the stall area but not in a place |
| stalls - especially for foaling down, then preparation | | | | that may disturb the mare and foal. |
| of the stall surface prior to laying the matting should | | | | Should your mare foal down on a particularly cold |
| be considered. Ensure that your surfaces are level. If | | | | evening then a heat lamp can also be installed above |
| you have holes, dips or divots then make sure they | | | | the stall to help the foal in its first few hours. |
| are filled prior to laying the rubber matting. Failing to | | | | After allowing the mare to have at least 48 hours of |
| do so can cause injury to the horse and foal and can | | | | bonding with her foal, give them some time outside in |
| be uncomfortable for the mare to lay upon. Once | | | | a safe and well fenced day yard. Be sure that the |
| you have evened out the under surface of the stall | | | | mare is not disturbed or distracted by other horses |
| flooring then you are able to lay the rubber mats. | | | | near her, and remove any horse that can come |
| Consider using specialty foaling and breeding mats for | | | | within touching distance in adjoining yards. The |
| your stall that provide increased traction and are | | | | activity of foaling is an amazing and thoroughly |
| slightly softer than normal mats to properly support | | | | enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Ensuring |
| the foal. | | | | that you can provide the safest and most |
| Keep in mind that the stall should have been | | | | comfortable foaling environment for your mare, your |
| completely stripped prior to this application and the | | | | foal will enter the world in a safe and secure fashion. |
| stall thoroughly disinfected and cleaned. All sharp and | | | | |