Risks in Foaling at Home

[CRTXLaw]

We had our first foal in 2014. I had a maiden mare and it was my first foal too, so I had her foal out at the vet. I didn’t want to take any chances. The vet had sewn in a “Foal Alert” but by the time the monitor called his cell phone and he got over to her stall the foal was already well on her way into the world. I got there within 10 minutes of the phone call and missed it. The vet said this is how it most always happens - quickly, no issues.

If all goes according to plan, in 2016 we will have 3 foals. Each of the mares is a seasoned broodmare who has had several healthy foals with no complications. I am learning as much as I can (currently reading the Complete Book of Foaling), but keep thinking, if there is a true emergency, without a vet only so much could be done. It would likely take at least 30 min for my mobile vet to arrive on our farm so that doesn’t really help.

Taking 3 seasoned broodmares to foal out at the vet would be quite expensive and if the risk is negligible doesn’t make sense. I understand that if I am going to breed horses I need to accept that there are risks - I’ll be doing this every year after all. However, if it went totally awry and the vet was able to save the day it would be 100% worth it. Not only with respect to the well-being of the mares and foals - but also because they represent a significant financial investment.

What is the likelihood of it all going terribly wrong? Do any breeders think the vet option could be a rational economic decision? or would I just be letting my nerves get the best of me and doing it for my own peace of mind?

[Laurierace]

Even foaling out at the vet doesn’t guarantee the vet can get there in time since they can’t devote 24 hours per day to one horse. As far as foaling out at home, is someone actually home all the time? The most important safety factor to me is attended foalings, if you can’t guarantee someone will be there then that is a problem more than access to a vet in an emergency.

[Kyzteke]

Statistically, most foalings occur without an issue.

But when it goes bad, it can go REALLY bad. One of my mares was leased out and the woman wisely left the horse at her vet’s for foaling. Thank goodness for that, since this seasoned, experienced broodmare who had never had any issues DID have one this time.

Despite the fact the vet was there with an assistant, they still lost the foal. Just this past 2 wks 2 breeder friends of mine lost foals due to dystocias. In both cases the vet was there.

If you are not prepared to handle a dystocia or if you don’t have plenty of help (very STRONG help) around to assist should things go south, then you are just playing the odds that everything will be ok.

And chances are, it will be. Statistically it will be.

No one on this board can tell you it will all be ok foaling your mares out at home. It may not be ok. But then, it may not be ok if they are at the vet’s either…

Sorry it’s not a very clear answer…but it’s an honest answer.

[sid]

[QUOTE=Kyzteke;8110673]
Statistically, most foalings occur without an issue.

But when it goes bad, it can go REALLY bad. One of my mares was leased out and the woman wisely left the horse at her vet’s for foaling. Thank goodness for that, since this seasoned, experienced broodmare who had never had any issues DID have one this time.

Despite the fact the vet was there with an assistant, they still lost the foal. Just this past 2 wks 2 breeder friends of mine lost foals due to dystocias. In both cases the vet was there.

If you are not prepared to handle a dystocia or if you don’t have plenty of help (very STRONG help) around to assist should things go south, then you are just playing the odds that everything will be ok.

And chances are, it will be. Statistically it will be.

No one on this board can tell you it will all be ok foaling your mares out at home. It may not be ok. But then, it may not be ok if they are at the vet’s either…

Sorry it’s not a very clear answer…but it’s an honest answer.[/QUOTE]

This is SO true. I lost a foal from a mare the I sent to New Bolton’s high-risk mare program (NICU). The mare was at risk from recent small colon torsion and resection. C-Section eventually. The mare was not expected to survive. She did, the foal died of pneumonia 8 days later.

Other than her, I’ve always foaled at home. Many many sleepless nights.

My mantra is prepare for the worst (i.e. vet on call, appropriate foaling kit, frozen colostrum on hand, trailer ready and hooked up) – and hope for the best.

It usually turns out fine, but when it doesn’t one would always regret not been prepared for when things may go south. When they go south it can happen quickly (and that goes for post partum issues with the foal as well within the first month).

Good luck!

[Daventry]

100% agree with everything that has already been said. One thing that can be a determining factor is what you are like in stressful, emergency situations? Some people handled it well and stay cool as a cucumber while the next person is a blubbering mess and the brain completely shuts down and they cannot force themselves into action. If you are the latter, and tend to come unglued in high-stress situations, then foaling at home is not for you. If you are able to stay calm and multitask, then I would suggest you read as much as you can about foaling, what to do when things go wrong, i.e. one front foot back, two front legs present and no head, etc., and make sure you have your vet on speed dial to walk you through if anything goes wrong. As sid already said, plan for the worst and hope for the best.

[CRTXLaw]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

I’ll be in a better position to decide further down the road, as I learn more. I am sure it’s nerve-wracking every time, but the first time will be especially so. I realize that having a vet present is no guarantee of a good outcome. Someone most definitely will be present - there’s no question about that. I would be an outlier in the breeding world if I opted to go the vet route - it makes less and less sense the more foals are on the way - but for a smaller program like mine it may still be feasible and, at this point at least, worth the expense.

[sid]

[QUOTE=Daventry;8110858]
100% agree with everything that has already been said. One thing that can be a determining factor is what you are like in stressful, emergency situations? Some people handled it well and stay cool as a cucumber while the next person is a blubbering mess and the brain completely shuts down and they cannot force themselves into action. [/QUOTE]

Daventry, this is a very good point! My nature is to be very level-headed and good in a crisis and a time management freak when lives are at stake (armed with as much knowledge as I can get ahead of time).

Some people think they may be but can panic and go blank or freak,not to slight anyone. But what you say is very true. Very good point.

[Jim_R]

All good advice. Most all my foals were born in the middle of the night, a few at quite time in the afternoon at the barn. Lot of sleepless nights till we got a monitor that went on like a surcingle. Mares can rub those other ones out to easy and need to be sewed in.
Some are a piece of cake, some need a little help,others lots of help.
If you have some strong horse wise people,a cool head, and a vet on speed dial you can do a lot of what the vet can do till they get there.
If you get into breeding as the cost will kill you to send out.
But with all the money you make breeding not to big a deal LOL.
We used to charge 20 a day and wanted them here 3-4 weeks ahead of due date and $400 to foal out.
The wife is a vet but 99% of the time it was just having 2 horse people not having a vet here.
Know ahead of time where you can get some frozen colostrum if a problem comes up, have your towels and iodine ready. Learn how to pull when she pushs if she needs help down towards the hocks. Do not pull placenta out, tie a wet towel or something to add a little weight if she retains it. Let vet know and you could pick up some oxytocin. You will be panicking at the beginning, totally normal.
Next step getting it nursing, same deal, some easy, some a little help, others lots of help. Sounds like you have good mares for their end of it. Some foals need some help find and latching on.
At the beginning I used to rush it and learned not to panic so quickly about them nursing. Get a little milk on your finger, get them into position using your fingers and get them going under to get that. Don’t push on them to much so they can relax, scratch their butt helps trigger it too.
One of my favorite sounds is them latching on and swallowing.
Means I can go sit down at 3:40 am and know I have to get up for work in a few.
If you are going to stick with it I would get a foal monitor. Alarm in the house and calls phone numbers. With the style we had very few false alarms and only ever came out once with a little paint colt nursing away.
People asked how it went and I can’t really lie, so I said really smooth, she really didn’t need any help.
Good luck.

[Blume_Farm]

I agree that how you handle a crisis can be a critical point if things go South.

Also, knowing what is normal will help you know what is not. If I were you I would spend a few nights this spring at a vets or large farm and partake in a half dozen or so foalings. I did foal watch while I was in vet school and just watching mare after mare prepared me a bit more for when it was my own mare and I was alone. There probably are some youtube videos as well, but I think being there in person for a few foalings is critical.

Have monitors set up well in advance to make sure all the equipment is working. My mare is due mid-May and I just got my cameras checked today. I live stream the cameras so I can watch at work because I cannot be home 24hr. I keep the live stream going on all computers at work during the day so I can essentially never leave “home” and I am 15 minutes away. You can also watch on your Smartphone which is great if you leave to get a bite to eat or something. I also put a monitor on her halter, but have had issues with false alarms so haven’t used it in a few years, but probably will again this time around.

Not to scare anyone but we spend so much time watching them up to foaling time and then once the foal is up and nursing we sigh a big relief. My mare coliced 24 hours post foaling and needed surgery. I was lucky she was the vet school already when it happened at 3am because had she been at home I would have missed it as I never stay up and watch all night long AFTER the foal is good to go. I will now! Probably keep them on cameras and check every couple hours through the night for the first month or so POST foaling:( Leads to many, many more sleepless nights!!

[LavenderFarm]

OP, this really is an individual decision. I’m old and old-school and, back when I did breed, I slept in the barn. I’ve spent as much as a month in a barn with a maiden! (Yes, I’m likely certifiable.)

There is something special about being there with your mare and the new foal and being part of that bonding process. For me, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

One of the first mares I foaled, one foal foot wasn’t presenting correctly. Initially, I panicked. Knowing the vet would be a bit away and seeing all was happening quickly, I told myself to get a grip! Was able to manually (obviously internally) manipulate the offending foot into a better position and foal was born quickly and all well. I think that’s what other posters mean by being prepared (knowing the process of birth) and having the fortitude to take the initiative when needed.

Thankfully, I never had a red bag delivery but you should know what that means and what you need to do and have everything in your foaling kit to do what you need. I’m guessing from your user name you may be a lawyer - and thus risk averse - so be prepared as I’m sure you would be.

Yes, things can go wrong, and sometimes, even in a vet setting. For me, again, there is so much joy in having those initial moments with mom and foal when, in most cases and with a pregnancy that has gone well, foaling goes at it has for centuries, with everyone just fine.

As someone noted, tho, keep an eye on Mom and baby afterwards as there can be issues post-foaling. Education is your friend as to what to watch for. I did have to trailer Mom and new baby to vet clinic once - but it all worked out OK because I noticed the issue early.

It is such an incredible joy of birth and I wish you well with whatever your decision may be. Breeding is not for the faint of heart and anyone who has bred for some time knows that.

Best of luck!

[camohn]

Stats from our farm; breeding a couple foals a year since 1999, so ballpark 30 foals. Number of foalings gone bad in some form: 5

1. stillborn foal: necropsy with meningitis. So… Nothing I did would have mattered.
2. red bag foal: mare was known to have placentitis so this one went to the vets when she bagged up as she was at risk . And I’m glad we did. Red bag foal survived.
3. mild dystocia / at home foaling. Mare would not let me near her to help until she was too tired to fight. I got the foal out by the time the vet got here. I called vet, but nearest repro vet is 45 min away.
4. still born foal/ umbilical torsion . Nothing I could do about that
5. red bag foal at home this year, no signs of placentitis … Was a real
   Surprise. Foal unresponsive at birth, revived with breathing in his nose.

So… That leaves 83% that went just fine with no issues. We have lost a couple… But even being at a vets would not have helped them.

I have discovered that having to pull a foal ( the two times I had to… Dystocia and red bag) is hard work: they are slippery!

I could not afford to send all those mares out to foal. I did do it for the high risk mare though… And am glad I did .

[MysticOakRanch]

Everyone who is going to breed has to start somewhere. As long as you have some idea of how to handle an emergency, and WHAT it looks like when things go wrong - and you can keep your cool if things DO go wrong, I’d say give it a try. Reality - if things go drastically wrong, even with a vet present, there is little that can be done.

I know of a few births that went bad, bad, bad and were at vet clinics and did not end well. OTOH, most births do go well, especially if you are dealing with seasoned broodies.

I’ve foaled out about 25 times now - like Providence, I’ll give you the stats:

3 retained placentas - oxytocin on hand, fixed 2, one needed vet intervention.

1 mild dystocia - with my assistance, all turned out well.

1 rejected foal - mare kept trying to KICK her. With a few hours of work, we got that resolved.

1 merconium impaction (and yes, I do a enama treatment on all the babies, but it can still happen). That also required vet intervention, but he turned out fine.

So - really, nothing major. Mostly being aware and being there! Which means attending foalings, watching mares all through the night. Prepare for some sleepless nights - and realize it could be MANY sleepless nights.

There are some good books and courses out there - I went through Kathy and Jos’ course twice (once the year before I started breeding, once after doing it for 5 years), and my vet let me do a few drive alongs to some big breeding places.

Do have a kit on hand - I bought one of those rolling tool chests and had it pre-packed with the basics, and a shelf in my barn fridge with oxy and sedatives if needed. Basics include clean towels, gloves (I kept things in plastic baggies to keep them clean and dust-free), betadine, novalsan, twine, vet wrap, scissors, dipping cups, enemas, etc. Mine was packed pretty full.

[CRTXLaw]

Thanks for all the responses and sharing your experiences! I am now a few chapters into The Complete Book of Foaling by Karen Hayes and finding it incredibly informative.

The book stresses that almost all problems can be rectified by knowledgeable human intervention, although there are those rare situations that can’t be, which would likely be devastating in any case. She emphasizes that the most important factor is being there - with a knowledgeable person who can recognize as early as possible when something is amiss and take action early, before the process is too far along.

Looking back on what I did last year (take my mare to a vet and leave her there with the Foal Alert monitor sewn in and a vet on premises 24/7) - it actually was a false sense of security. The vets there were busy with lots of horses to attend to, so I doubt they were watching my mare all that closely, and the Foal Alert alarm only goes off once foaling is underway (it is magnets sewn into the vulva, triggered when they separate), so we would have missed the opportunity for early intervention.

Her recommendation re: the vet is to monitor all the various signs of impending foaling very closely and to have a vet “on call” to come out as soon as you think the foaling will be imminent and before any problem arises. This approach could result in inconveniencing the vet if the foaling was not as imminent as it seemed, but surely they would be compensated for their time, and it would certainly be a lot less expensive than boarding the mare at a vet for weeks. I don’t know why I hadn’t really thought of this middle option before, but it sounds like a good approach. I will ask my mobile vet and hopefully he would be glad to be “on call” for me during this time next year. Of course I’d give the courtesy of keeping him informed about the signs (temperature, milk testing, etc.) so he would expect my late night call.

[sid]

This is always what I did and it worked out well. In a couple of instances, I did have dystocias on my hands, called the vet so he could be on the way. I was able to correct the problem and deliver after all, then called him and he turned around and went home.

Only in one case did he actually have to come (I had a completely ventral presentation) – believe or not we were able to finally deliver the colt…no easily done for a ventral presentation.

You might also want your vet to have a “back up” vet on call for you in case they are on vacation or out of pocket.

[Kyzteke]

The suggestion to attend some foalings prior to next year is an excellent one! As is Daventry’s point about evaluating how you deal with a crisis.

As a nurse, I stay very cool in a crisis, but the bottom line is that “fixing” a dystocia is not as easy as Karen Hayes makes it sound.

You have no idea how STRONG you need to be or how much it hurts putting your hands in a mare while she is contracting.

The mare I had leased is a fine example. The vet heard the alarm, but didn’t go in right away because I had advised them that this mare was sensitive about people being around during foaling and in the past she had jumped to her feet so quickly she gave the foal an umbilical hernia.

But the delay was not long, and the vet was watching from her doorway. Then she discovered the foal was presenting with both front legs back – a very rare (and horrible) position. This vet is VERY fit and works out with weights. She is young as well. Her husband also is a fitness nut and also works out with weights. The point is both of these people were not only vets (or one of them was) but also incredibly strong & fit.

Despite this, she said they worked for 20 minutes and still could only get 1 leg forward. After this it became more about saving the mare – the foal did not survive.

The mare DID survive, but the pressure created by the foal was so great and lasted so long the tissue in her vagina actually necrosed (sp?) and it took some 2 wks after foaling with daily debriding before that resolved.

Stats for my foaling history:

I’m honestly not sure how many foals I’ve produced, but I would guess around 40 between the WBs & the endurance prospects.

There have only been 2 actual dystocias; the one I mentioned (and the mare was in a different state for that one, thank goodness) and one early in my breeding career. That one was a breech. I discovered there was a problem when (as Karen Hayes suggests) I put my hand in right after the water broke and felt nothing I could recognize. I called my vet immediately, but she was 45 mins away.

The foal was still alive when she got there and was actually still alive when we got her out, but died just minutes later. I’ve since read that breech dystocias rarely end well…I think Jos commented he’d never known a foal that lived.

But I could not believe how much sheer strength it required to pull a foal…it’s not a 1 man job (or sometimes even a 2 man job!).

So only 2 o/o 40…BUT, like others have said, that doesn’t mean you are o/o the woods. I’ve lost several foals post-foaling and dealt with post-foaling colic in the mares (not uncommon).

A very close friend of mine was over the moon last year when all five of her mares caught first cycle (with very expensive frozen for the most part). Results:

• 1 mare (bred to Quarterback) reabsorbed early on – 1st 30 days.
• Mare aborted at 6 mos (bred to DeNiro). No obvious cause, placenta looked fine. My friend did not do a necropsy.
• Foaling went ok, but soal started to tank hours afterwards. With some intensive nursing, it survived.
• Mare foaled out in the pasture – no problems at all.
• Mare foaled; vet present. foal got hung up at the hips. Only “stuck” for about 8 mins, but when the foal came out, the mare leaped up and the umbilical cord broke too low, causing an arterial bleed. The foal was at WSU vet school within 1.5 hrs of birth. Died the next day. Necropsy revealed massive damage to internal organs r/t pressure…spleen was ruptured, etc. Foal was HUGE – 220lbs!!!

So there are some sobering stats; o/o 5 pregnancies she got 2 live foals.

Truly, breeding is not for the faint-hearted…

BTW, I am not a fan of various foal alarms because of the reasons stated – you don’t know a mare is going to foal till she actually starts to do the deed.

I prefer the old fashioned way myself. I do the milk testing (which has been very, very accurate for me), and then I can alert everyone to keep their phone on and be ready.

This includes the vet, my strong neighbors, etc. Then I sleep in the barn.

This “system” has worked well for me. Best of luck for whatever you decide…and be aware that sometimes there is just nothing anyone can do…

[CRTXLaw]

Kyzteke - thanks, your post really brought home how much strength could be necessary, if it comes to that. I’ll need to arrange more back-up.

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences and advice. I will try to attend some foalings this year - that would be the best preparation.

[BeeHoney]

There is a steep learning curve to foaling mares. Caring for broodmares and newborn foals isn’t something you can learn from a book (though obviously that helps). There are a million different things that can–and will–go wrong, from dystocias, red bags, mares that were exposed to fescue, to mares that won’t lay down to foal, mares that are frantic post foaling, mares that reject their foals, foals that can’t stand, foals with contractures, etc.

To top it off, as Blume discussed in her post, it isn’t over when the foal is safely on the ground. You don’t get to just walk back to the house and go to bed. All kinds of things can go wrong with newborn foals. They can have trouble getting up and down, they can be dummy foals, they can have trouble passing meconium, etc. Even a simple case of diarrhea in a 10 day old foal can require round the clock monitoring and medication.

Instead of sending your mare to the vet’s office to foal, are there any local breeding barns that will take in mares to foal–farms that have night watch and are prepared to deal with both foaling and aftercare?

Definitely attend foalings and try to learn more, also be sure you have enough backup available. One person isn’t enough for a foaling team.

[CRTXLaw]

The “foaling team” I currently have available consists of myself, my vet, his wife (both of them have delivered many foals), and my husband, and I plan to augment with backup of other experienced folks - luckily I have a year. I am familiar with the many issues that can go wrong (before, during and after foaling) and aim to do all I can to be in the best position to handle it all, to the best possible outcome.

The suggestion of going to a breeding barn is interesting to consider. At this point I think that other than going to a vet, I’m inclined to keep the environment the same, with full focus on my mares, where I can monitor directly and work with the vet I know and trust, knowing I have everything I may need, where it all is, etc. One plus is that my farm is 5 minutes from the equine vet hospital (although that may not be helpful in many situations). My vet’s mobile unit is also well-equipped - he isn’t a typical “country vet”.

That’s my thinking as of now anyway. It may change as I continue to learn and evaluate. Thanks again to all for the advice - I’ll keep y’all posted.

[camohn]

Although a host of things CAN go wrong… And it isn’t for the faint of heart if it does… Keep in mind that in the end… It usually does go right too. My poor hubby lol. The red bag foal that needed to be resuscitated this year: I was breathing in his unresponsive nose as soon as I saw the red bag presenting … Ripped it open and was breathing in his nostrils/ only the head was out. Hubby came in the barn on his way home from work just as the worst was over: foal was out. He went to
Kiss me hello, took one look at my face and scurried off saying " I’ll kiss you hello after you get a shower." Later going in the house I did look in a mirror… There WAS blood all over my face. Didn’t notice, didn’t care at the time! But I probably did look like something out of a horror flick. ( he was a dummy
Foal after that, I had to help him stand and nurse for three days after that…so as noted in his case the work wasn’t done.). Fortunately my only dummy in 16 years. Oh actually the second…the other red bag foal was too come to think of it. He was at the vets for 3 days ( the one that foaled out there) until he could stand and nurse on his own. Almost forgot about that since I was not the one that had to do it!
At birth ( semi graphic pic warning!) after foal was breathing/ mom Resting up : http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/camohn03/B865C29C-A053-4DEB-9BF6-31B8E51C163D_zpsrxg717my.jpg

At a few hours: can barely hold his head up but a whole lot better! http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/camohn03/8AFDEA03-66CA-4A58-9ABD-AAA2CCCA5665_zpsxcspnwwv.jpg

At 3 days: finally able to stand and nurse unassisted http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/camohn03/9FDB0C73-D35E-4330-AC9D-973F36CF4C07_zpsjqumvwdz.jpg

At 3 weeks: http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j276/camohn03/BABE4675-ACE2-4081-9D89-0558C1180300_zpslx6wff6d.jpg

So… There are happy endings …

[Kyzteke]

Here is the link to a thread I started some years ago on dystocias – some pretty helpful info in there – also some scary stories.http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?300580-OK-Let-s-Talk-Dystocias/page2&highlight=Dystocias

What I have learned is that it’s never as simple or as easy as they say in the book(s).

For instance when they say “keep the mare on her feet,” that sounds simple enough, right? But when you have a 1,000+lb mare in full-blown labor it’s a whole different deal!

Or when the book says “simply push the foal back and do blah, blah, blah…” but then you are presented with a mare who refuses to stand and her hocks are waving around like crazy with each contraction…it’s not that simple.

Another idea (for you) might be to join/watch Mare Stare – might give you the opportunity to watch some live births this year.

The most important thing is to be prepared…meaning having all your equip. ready & in good working order – you might make your foaling kit list and then post it on COTH for suggestions on items you might have forgotten.

Other thing is to have a team of AT LEAST 3 people, 2 of them VERY strong who can attend.

And the other thing is (obviously) be there for the foaling. In Karen Hayes’ book she states the easiest time to correct a dystocia is before the contractions start – which mean right after the water breaks.

That’s why I’m not that crazy about foal alarms or camera systems…by the time they “alert” you the serious contractions have already started.

Of course, you might spend some pointless nights in the barn because your mare doesn’t follow the “milk-testing rules”. And maidens can be a real challenge under the best of circumstances. But if you’ve put all that time & money into the pregnancy, my thought was always that afew nights in the barn is just part of the “cost.”

And I have to keep repeating and repeating how much strength it takes!! So start eating your Wheaties now:D!

And best of luck – just keep in mind the odds are things will be just fine.