The Foaling Kit

Nothing is more terrifying for a foaling attendant than finding out in an emergency that an essential piece of equipment is not readily available. Keep a "foaling kit" full of supplies near the foaling stall, yet protected from dirt, dust - and those "gremlins" that walk off with your lead shanks at the wrong time. The supplies can be kept in a basket, tote or any container as long as it's protected. Note: This is not necessarily a complete list! Consult your veterinarian about any additional items he/she recommends. Make sure you read about AND UNDERSTAND the use of all of these items. Have your vet explain the birthing procedure and when you should or shouldn't help.

Essentials For Your Foaling Kit:

• Notepaper and pencils

• Halter

• Two lead ropes - 1 cotton shank, 1 chain shank

• Tail wrap

• Mild liquid soap, preferably Ivory

• Two 1-pound rolls of cotton

• Flashlight with new batteries

• Clean scissors for bandages

• Wristwatch

• Hot water bottle

• Equine thermometer

• Sterile saline solution

• Shoulder-length sterile plastic gloves

• Plastic garbage bags

• 5 tubes of sterile lubricating jelly (such as Vaseline)

• Clean, soft terry cloth towels (both small and large)

• Clean, lightweight cotton bed sheet

• Light-weight thermal blanket

• Tincture of iodine (2%), 6 half-ounce bottles

• Fleet enemas (preferably 2)

• Sterile baby bottle with large nipple (or goat or sheep nipple)

• Telephone number of veterinarian

• Maps and gas money

In the event of foaling, the attendant should have:

• Immediate access to hot water

• Immediate access to a phone

• Horse trailer, bedded with straw, hooked up and ready to go

• Frozen colostrum in freezer

Canadian Horseman May/June 1999