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Minis with Heart |
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Over the years, we have learned a number of things to avoid and also many things to watch for to keep the foal healthy. The mini horse foals are small and have their own set of problems that you would not fine in their larger sized cousins. Lois was nice enough to make me a list of things that apply to the mini horse foals. We hope this will help in raising your mini horse foal. |
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Tanglewood Farms Lois Anderson or Lora Bozarth 10930 1/2 Rosedale Hwy Bakersfield, California 93312 Phone: 661 319-3519 |
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1. Make sure all feeders are set low enough for the foal to eat without pressure on his neck. Foals can choke very easily if they try to swallow with the neck pressed against the feeder. 2. Make sure for the 7 to 10 days of a foals life water tubs are low wide and shallow enough that if the foal falls in he can easily stand back up and will not drown. Buckets are a no-no as the foal can fall in head first and be unable to extract himself. 3. Temperature control is very important. Foals can overheat or chill very easily due to their small size. A little thermal blanket designed for mini foals works well to keep the chill off. Triple L makes a safe 24 inches mini foal coat. 4. Mother and foal need to be put up in a lighted stall for the night to protect against nighttime temperatures and wild animals. The stall should be a minimum of 12 foot by 12 foot with rubber mats covering the stall floor which insulates and makes it easy to clean up the wet ammonia shavings. Cleaning the stall twice a day will keep the foals lungs safe from the ammonia and help prevent infections. |
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Heading out to play in the pasture. |
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5. Shady pens are very desirable in hotter weather. Foals must be watched closely as they may lay down in the sun and become badly overheated which can result in death. If a shady pen is not available a cooler in the stall will work until the foal can regulate his own temperature.
6. The foal should be nursing frequently and running and playing. The foal should be interested in his or her surroundings. Many foals will try and eat solid food before they have teeth and they will have a mouth full of hay or shavings, if they are not nursing check the mouth first. If the mouth is clear check to see if they are running a temperature.
7. Foals should have soft stools that are easy to pass. If the stool becomes to hard and the foal is straining then an enema is in order. Make sure the foal is not dehydrated and that the mare has enough milk. If the mare does not have enough milk you will need to supplement the baby with Foal Lac every two hours until mother has enough milk. A small syringe is the best way small amounts at a time until you have 1 cup in the foal. |
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8. Fainting Foals: This is the result of a Patent Ductus. You see this condition usually in preemie foals. The shunt in the heart fails to close at birth and as a result when the foal is stressed the foal becomes unconscious. These foals usually recover with time and some extra attention. Work slowly with these foals so as not to scare or surprise them. Some foals will become to excited when they drink milk and pass out if this happens then try supplementing them with the Foal Lac. In severe cases, the foal will continues to faint and you will not be able to feed them. This is the time you need to call a Vet. 9. Some mares are abusive to the foals and will kick and bit the foals. These mares will not let the foal nurse. Also there are mares that will pace and will not stop long enough for the foal to nurse. These mares need to be restrained gently. Tie these mare up and brush or rub the mare to calm her down while the foal nurses. This must be done every 2 hours and the foal needs a place to be able to go to get away from an abusive mare. Watch these foals closely as they will sometimes substitute water for the milk and this can lead to diarrhea and dehydration. Water must be put out of reach of the foal in these cases and make sure the foal is getting enough milk, or Foal Lac. Keep alert as to what is happening with your baby. Anything that seems unusual should be investigated. 10. If the foal begins limping or seems stiff in the legs and refuses to play (around 10 to 21days after birth) it may be navel ill. This requires immediate veterinarian attention |
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Healthy Mother and foal playing together |
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11. Diarrhea: Foals from time to time may have diarrhea Mild cases can be treated with 2 Tablespoons of Kopectate. Also a couple of feedings of Foal Lac milk substitute will help. Be sure and wash the baby’s back side and tail with a mild soap such as Johnson’s Baby wash, this will prevent the foal from scalding. 12. Colic: If the foal has a colic; listen to the gut sounds and if the foal has good gut sounds try feeding the foal some Foal Lack with 1 teaspoon of Karo syrup added to the formula. Try and get the foal to move around by walking the mare or putting them out in a large pasture. If the foal is not better in 1 to 2 hours call a vet. If the foal has no gut sound and is rolling upside down call a vet, don’t wait. Raising a mini horse foal can be the best of times or it can be a nightmare. The best way to keep them healthy is to take the extra time to prevent problems. The best was to have a wonderful adult mini horse is to handle the foal every day this will make them gentle and easy to handle later in life. If you have any questions feel free to call: Lois Anderson at 661 319 3519. |
