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Gucci
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 11:37:27 AM
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My mare is due her first foal soon and I'm wondering if you all use straw bedding or anything else. Tara has always been on paper bedding and still is but I doubt if this would be suitable for foaling?
I would be very grateful for your opinions
Thanks
Rachel
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Kazzy
Platinum Member
England
3335 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 1:11:17 PM
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Only bred 1 foal but I used straw, simply because a foal can breathe
through the straw when it is lying down, on shavings they cant.
Some other people might have a suggestion thats what I used anyway.
Good luck.
Janet |
     
Sunny Cheshire |
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suneagle
Gold Member
England
727 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 3:14:27 PM
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my friend used paper once for her foal but she deffernetly WONT recconmend it to anyone, she said the vet told her too. so she did but mucking out afterwards was a nightmare with the afterbirth stuff all just clumped together and was wet and heavy VERY VERY MESSY!.
another friend he uses small amount of shavings underneeth a straw bed, so the shavings can soak up the wet without getting in the way of the foal as RAFA said... |
clare xxxx |
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Tahir
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4572 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 4:24:41 PM
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Have foaled 20+ on straw and wouldn't use anything else. But that's just my opinion!!!
Carla, xx. |
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Arachnid
Platinum Member
England
1872 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 6:05:40 PM
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I went to a mare and foal lecture held by my vets last month and the vet said definitely straw.. |
   
West Sussex |
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polly
Platinum Member
2183 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 7:29:54 PM
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| for a short time I was involved with a company who researched and made top quality rubber matting, rubber veterinary beds and rubber mattreses. And I would say that most of the breeders/stud that we spoke to would only ever use straw, nothing else, nice and deep.One local friend who,s mare had always foaled outside in her field, locked off her stables cos they had rubber mats, BUT one do-gooder/neighbour, who felt sorry for the mare..( and knew nothing about horses ).opened the gate !!! and the mare foaled inside on the rubber mats!! YES the new born foal knocked both her hocks off trying to get up! So....straw is the only thing I would use.(the foal did survive but not without a lot of TLC for months)the neighbour very nearly didn,t survive when we found out it was her fault! Polly |
   
Photos1and2EricGJones
pollywells@.live.co.uk |
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Jingo
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3632 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 8:53:28 PM
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Rachel, last year we foaled FOUR mares on dustfree shavings(mainly because the straw was AWFUL!!) - no probs, we found everything contained within a small area. The trouble came with the mares and foals - they were so difficult to muck out and keep really clean.
This year we have fantastic wheat straw (no dust etc) so have foaled TWO mares - no probs and they are so much easier to muck out - I would say the wheat straw absorbs most of the liquid.
So as long as the straw is top quality, I would definitely go for straw everytime
Sorry never used paper. |
Jude
www.auchmillanarabians.org.uk
      
photos:Anthony Reynolds,Sweet,Deano,Real Time Imaging |
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natntaz
Platinum Member
England
2919 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 10:18:14 PM
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| My mare had a good firm straw bed last year and like others had no problems at all with it. |
   
Natalie Pix. Essex. Tariq ibn Radfan and Taroub |
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NPA Arabians
Moderator
United Kingdom
2980 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 11:47:04 PM
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I have always used straw - till last year i decided to try "nez-beds pro" as "top quality" straw was impossible to find!
I put absolutely loads down - just as i would with a straw bed!
Kept it scrupliously clean - just as i would with a straw bed!
and i found it fab!
Babys first steps were far less hampered than they are usually with straw, - the "foaling" fluids etc came out in an easy damp patch.
and they were much easier to keep clean afterwards.
I intend to use it again this year.
The second picture from the right on my signiture shows how comfy last years baby was on it. |
     
Jayne Armstrong - NPA Arabians
:-) :-) :-) :-) |
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Gucci
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2007 : 09:31:36 AM
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Thank you so much everyone it's wonderful how people on this forum are always ready to give help and advice.
Looks like straw it is then - having looked at Tara this morning I had better get ordering some before it's too late!!!
Rachel |
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Poppy
Gold Member
England
549 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2007 : 11:07:59 AM
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I agree with you Jayne - Nedz beds ab fab.Have foaled 2 so far, a doddle to keep clean, so good in fact all my horses are now on it.
janet |
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Nimlat
Silver Member
England
461 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2007 : 9:11:34 PM
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| After foaling down mares every year for 40yrs - yep, straw is the best. Good thick bed, high, wide banks extending across doorways to stop any draughts - nothing to beat it. I must say I do like traditional husbandry !!! (Have no experience of Neds Beds.) |
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Nuttybabez
Gold Member
England
522 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2007 : 9:19:46 PM
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| I know it is generally advised to use straw but I foaled my last baby on dust free shavings and I am doing the same this year as I personally find them easier to muck out and keep cleaner. I just don't feel I can get the straw clean enough and it doesn't seem to absorb as much wet as shavings does. I had no problem with the last foal on shavings anyway. |
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Gucci
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2007 : 11:33:18 AM
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Nimlat with 40yrs of experience behind you I just wish that you lived near me!! This is our first time and I'm getting a little concerned about the swelling under her abdomen that is tracking down from the udder.
Nuttybabez I would like to use shavings but the mare absolutely adores them - she will eat them and also any wood product/hemp so I have had to use paper in the past.
Looks like it will have to be a good deep bed of straw then
Rachel |
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kirsty
Gold Member
United Kingdom
713 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2007 : 12:47:27 PM
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Hi Rachel
I usually use straw but find it very wet and messy so I'm also not sure what to use this year. May do as suggested and use straw on top of a layer of shavings. When is Tara due. Hans not due until the 26th may but is so large already bigger than any of her other foals. Am I right in thinking Vlacq do AI as I'm trying to decide who to use this year as she is better of AI'd
Kirsty |
   eric g jones  |
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Michelle
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3197 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2007 : 12:58:15 PM
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I have foaled on both straw and shavings.... pros and cons with both I found. Shavings are best when they are not all fluffy and brand new. A thick shavings bed of shavings that have been mucked out a few times compact well and do provide 'grip' for the foal standing up, where as i find it doesn't matter how much straw I use, the banks get knocked down, the bed parts and becomes slippy.
But, straw is easy because you can chuck the whole lot out the next day.
I have rubber matting and this year i plan to use straw but with some shavings underneath to stop the slipping.
The mare who is foaling always has huge foals with long long legs that need time to straighten up so standing up is often a struggle.
There are all these different things to take into consideration I guess.... |
IIsis Arabians
www.iisisarabians.com www.ali-abbas.co.uk
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angel2002
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2502 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2007 : 1:08:56 PM
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Rachel, DON'T Worry about the swelling from the belly to the udder, this is normal, my mare has exactly the same at this moment as she is due to foal any day now.
Straw is the best, i do have rubber matting but will always use straw for foaling because sawdust/shavings can get into the foals mouth and eyes which can cause problems.
Good luck with your first, I can remember how nervous and excited I was with my first. I will be thinking of you sitting up over the next few days while I am doing the same :)))
Good luck & best wishes |
Angel
Passion Arabians
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tamila
Platinum Member
England
2532 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2007 : 1:56:47 PM
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| These swellings from udder towards the stomach (I callthem tubes) are quite normal. I shall try this neds bed as I have always used straw in the past. |
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Gucci
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2007 : 10:33:37 AM
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Hi Kirsty I'm not sure if there is AI offered at the Vlacq but Sue has a website where you might find out more.We live quite close so used drop in visits with Tara. She is due in the next week but she is huge now and well bagged up that I'm keeping a careful eye on her.Good luck with Hans I don't suppose you'll make it to Duckeries. Didn't Ballota do well at Haywood Oaks I saw her finish in style - I have her half sister.
Tamilla Angel and Michelle thanks for your comments I certainly feel a lot better about the swelling now although it is even bigger today but so is the udder.
Just waiting for the straw to be delivered
Rachel
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Tahir
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4572 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2007 : 11:39:44 AM
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I have always called these swellings "Milk Veins" (please don't ask me why).
Good luck with your foaling and enjoy!!!!
Carla, xx. |
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Gucci
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2007 : 11:49:10 AM
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Thanks Carla. Do the swellings appear fairly close to foaling or can they be a week or 2 ahead? Anyone?
Rachel |
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Tahir
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4572 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2007 : 11:58:00 AM
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Sorry, not much help, my mare's have shown milk veins at any time throughout their pregnancy, but I have noticed that the veins can be more prominent when they are on good grass or rich hay/haylage.
The more obvious signs to look out for are: total relaxation of the muscles either side of the tail (when you put your hand on them they feel a bit like jelly!), elongated vulva, udders full to bursting and can also have "shiny" appearance, waxing on teats or even running milk.
Any of the above could mean imminent foaling, but mares just love to catch you out!!!
Carla, xx. |
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NatH
Platinum Member
England
2695 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2007 : 12:24:46 PM
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Straw for me too
I'm not sure that AI is available at Vlaqc. I have spoken to Sue recently about one of her stallions and she said that they didn't do AI.
May be worth you checking with her direct |
Natalie
Chapel Lane Arabians
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kirsty
Gold Member
United Kingdom
713 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2007 : 2:27:33 PM
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Hi Rachel
Good luck with Tara you should get a great foal. I will look at vlacq website. Lotty is great and dace has worked hard on her. Yes I will be at Dukeries as I can't afford not to got there as I want to get Es and Cons Qualified and going abroad to do it is too expensive. Hans will have plenty of cover at home as hubby not coming to Dukeries and Nick my dressage trainer is around also (he hadwhat I want a chesnut filly from his mare yesterday 5am)
Kirsty |
eric g jones |
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Nimlat
Silver Member
England
461 Posts |
Posted - 17 Apr 2007 : 9:29:50 PM
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Gucci, I hope you thoroughly enjoy foaling down your mare - please don"t worry yourself
sick !!
Have you been stroking the milk veins and the udder? If your mare is a first time foaler it will help to desensitise the area that the foal will go for - (obviously). She could be ticklish, sore because of the tension or just apprehensive because of the newness of the situation. Just touch and smooth over the underside of her belly and inside her hindlegs to relax her.
Good Luck. Nomatter how many foals you see born each one is as thrilling as the last (or first !) |
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Gucci
Silver Member
England
389 Posts |
Posted - 18 Apr 2007 : 2:40:37 PM
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Nimlat I haven't dared to try as it is very much a 'no go' area but I understand what you mean and will give it a go later. If I don't get back you know that I haven't survived!!
Rachel |
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