Pregnant Horse Care
Having a baby horse is as exciting as
having a newborn child. Baby horses, or foals, are playful, and
adorable. They require lots of love, special attention and genuine
care. However, we must not also forget the mother mares, as they
experience physiological changes while having their pregnancy. They
undergo hormonal changes, experience moodiness, and feels worry like a
woman does when waiting for a child. A mare’s pregnancy lasts for
eleven months, but they begin to show signs of pregnancy within two
months. During the duration of pregnancy, here are some of the things
you must remember to maintain the optimum health of your mares.
Diet
It is important that you give your mare nutritious foods for everyday. When reaching the fifth month of gestation, a pregnant mare needs more food compared to their usual diet. You must give foods rich in protein and carbohydrates, combined with a sweet feed concentrate for the mare to ingest all the food. Also, bran mash is beneficial when your mare is pregnant during the cold season. Make fresh water available at all times. Check the content and condition of the water in the bucket at least twice a day to ensure that your mare ingest clean water.
Shelter
Make sure that the stable is kept clean and in good condition at all times. Make the modifications necessary for your horse to feel comfortable with the weather. Repair any broken areas and ensure environment’s safety. Your mare’s horse stall should me more spacious than the usual one. The more spacious the stall is, the better it is when the mare gives birth to the foal. Create a comfortable environment so as to decrease stress when giving birth.
Vital Signs
Vital signs must be recorded every now and then. This will aid you in determining the progress of your horse’s labor, and maintaining her optimum health. Keep a daily record of her respiration, heart rate and temperature.
Exercise
Pregnant horses need to be exposed outdoors. Give your horse a trip to its everyday, for at least five hours to keep her healthy and active. You must also remember to keep your horse away from other pregnant horses. Also, make sure that there is no stallion anywhere near your pregnant mare.
Illness
Watch out for your house very often, and note for any behavioral changes. Signs of illness to your pregnant horse or her foal are the following: dehydration, has a runny nose, the mare keeps looking at her belly, and pawing excessively. These signs would alarm you to call the veterinarian to respond to the problem immediately.
Veterinary Visits
Ideally, the pregnant horse must be seen by the veterinarian at least once a month. This would keep track of the mare’s pregnancy and to maintain the optimum health of the pregnant horse. Ultrasound is also essential every three months to monitor the progress of the fetus.