That’s awesome, JER! And your Teke-bred horses are awfully fancy. 
You’re in Southern Pines, so it’s not like this is normal weather. We don’t blanket foals much after a couple of days as a matter of course just depends on the temps. Which around here our norms are well below what you are experiencing.
In a pinch we have used large or extra large sweat shirts, no hood, that can be bought at bargain stores for a few dollars. A lot cheaper than a foal blanket that is not going to be used that much. Cut the “neck” to size and put their front legs threw the arms and it will generally fit all the way to their little butts. They usually fit pretty snug on our TBs around their belly so no worries of getting a hind leg hung-up. Plus they look pretty cute in it.
We use Foal Savers
http://www.cheshirehorse.com/UltraFlex-Foal-Saver-P12802.aspx
Looking forward to seeing this foal, JER! Another one to add to your fabulous collection! 
In a pinch, for an orphan foal we cut up an old sheepskin pad and fashioned a few straps to hold it on. It was nothing fancy but it was only meant to be used very temporarily. Granted, this was for a mini foal, so maybe a single sheepskin wouldn’t provide enough coverage… :winkgrin:
I just saw this, congrats JER! The weather here is ridiculous right now, I don’t blame you for being a little nervous.
Of course, if the newborn just needs someone to cuddle with I’m not far down the road. . .
saw this “redneck foal blanket” idea a few years ago… it is pretty clever
We have never blanketed foals And I will Nnver do so as I consider it also messing around with nature. They come out prepared for the weather conditions mom lives in. Or is mum blanketed aswell and hence “does not know”?
If one sees the foal really freezing and I mean shivering etc. one can still try to install over the stall some of those redlight warming lamps used often for other animals. But also only a short time !
I think that blanketing foals does something to their immunesystem and natural ability.
It is really only us and our feelings that we need to get straight.
Maybe I should try this?
As I’ve said before – more than once – I have never blanketed a foal. Mine are usually 3 or 4 YO and in work when they get their first blanket and spend any time at all in a stall.
I’m also perfectly happy to have my foals born out in the field with no human intervention.
However, with the wildly varying temps right now, I thought it would be a good idea to have a foal blanket on hand. -1C or -2C or even -4C might be perfectly low-normal at night, but -15C or -20C is not.
Looking at the forecast (in F) for SoPi this week, Wednesday has a high of 72F and Friday’s low is 23F with snow. That’s a 50F variation over 48 hours, which places a fair amount of demand on the body’s thermoregulatory systems, which are still quite vulnerable in a newborn.
I don’t think I’m going to damage my foal’s immune system or ‘ability’ by easing the physiological demands of thermoregulation during its first week or so.
That is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Finally a use for those ridiculous Vermont Teddy Bears that doesn’t involve a scantily clad middle aged woman batting her bedroom eyes at the camera.
I think if Mare and foal can be in a draft free, generously bedded stall or shed, blanketing a foal is not necessary. If Mom is agreeable, help get the foal dry, ASAP and all should be fine. My main concern with bitter temperatures is frost bitten ears and blanketing isn’t going to prevent that.
A few years ago I had a foal born on a frigid night (23F). After foaling my mare was shivering uncontrollably and she is an experienced broodmare. I ended up drying her off, throwing a blanket over her and giving her a warm bran mash which got her comfortable. The foal I dried off and placed a foal blanket on as well. I foal out in a three sided shed with attached small paddock. The shed is heavily bedded with straw. I was so worried about the cold that i slept down there that night to make sure foal kept getting up regularly to nurse. I parked my car and ran the heat sleeping in the hatchback area. Two days later we were back to our normal central NC weather and I felt better. Foal and mare did fine, and probably could have had I not intervened but why not make their lives easier?
After that I won’t foal out earlier than mid-May!!
[QUOTE=JER;8034484]
I’m also perfectly happy to have my foals born out in the field with no human intervention. [/QUOTE]
See, I would NOT be happy with that part. True, most of the time mares spit 'em out with no problems, but when it goes south with horses, it goes south BIG TIME.
If you have the mare foal in a cozy, deeply bedded stall, you don’t have to worry about the blanket AND you will insure an observed and so (hopefully) safer foaling.
[QUOTE=ACMEeventing;8034695]
Finally a use for those ridiculous Vermont Teddy Bears that doesn’t involve a scantily clad middle aged woman batting her bedroom eyes at the camera.[/QUOTE]
I’m completely unfamiliar with this phenomenon.
You have now given me a serious fright and I probably will have terrible nightmares and apocalyptic visions of the above for the rest of my life.
:eek:
[QUOTE=Blume Farm;8034773]
A few years ago I had a foal born on a frigid night (23F). After foaling my mare was shivering uncontrollably and she is an experienced broodmare. I ended up drying her off, throwing a blanket over her and giving her a warm bran mash which got her comfortable. The foal I dried off and placed a foal blanket on as well. I foal out in a three sided shed with attached small paddock. The shed is heavily bedded with straw. I was so worried about the cold that i slept down there that night to make sure foal kept getting up regularly to nurse. I parked my car and ran the heat sleeping in the hatchback area. Two days later we were back to our normal central NC weather and I felt better. Foal and mare did fine, and probably could have had I not intervened but why not make their lives easier?
After that I won’t foal out earlier than mid-May!![/QUOTE]
If 23F is a frigid night, then you really do live in “the best place so far,” and I hope you’ve got a spare room, because I’m on the way.
[QUOTE=Beaver Breeze;8034991]
If 23F is a frigid night, then you really do live in “the best place so far,” and I hope you’ve got a spare room, because I’m on the way. :)[/QUOTE]
Come on down! We will get a few nights in the teens, and even one or two in the single digits, but mostly winter is 40s daytime, 20s night time. I think central NC is pretty darn good:)
I am waiting patiently for pictures with the new baby modeling this wondrous blanket.
Although I really don’t know if anything can beat the foal in the hoody with the cut out for the ears. :lol:
[QUOTE=Beaver Breeze;8034991]
If 23F is a frigid night, then you really do live in “the best place so far,” and I hope you’ve got a spare room, because I’m on the way. :)[/QUOTE]
LOL, yup. Not being snarky to Blume everybody has a different idea of “cold”.
[QUOTE=JER;8034484]
Maybe I should try this?
As I’ve said before – more than once – I have never blanketed a foal. Mine are usually 3 or 4 YO and in work when they get their first blanket and spend any time at all in a stall.
I’m also perfectly happy to have my foals born out in the field with no human intervention.
However, with the wildly varying temps right now, I thought it would be a good idea to have a foal blanket on hand. -1C or -2C or even -4C might be perfectly low-normal at night, but -15C or -20C is not.
Looking at the forecast (in F) for SoPi this week, Wednesday has a high of 72F and Friday’s low is 23F with snow. That’s a 50F variation over 48 hours, which places a fair amount of demand on the body’s thermoregulatory systems, which are still quite vulnerable in a newborn.
I don’t think I’m going to damage my foal’s immune system or ‘ability’ by easing the physiological demands of thermoregulation during its first week or so.[/QUOTE]
For what it’s worth I agree.
Update!
You can see the new arrival George sporting his foal blanket graciously loaned by a fellow COTHer on this thread.
Thanks to all who shared their wisdom here.
If you are in a pinch - just use a quilted vest that has a zipper in the front. Put the front legs through the armholes with the zipper on the top of their back. Works fine.
