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I have recently purchased a sixteen year old mare and she is now in foal, I would like to obtain advice literature as to what care is needed during her pregnancy, for the birth, the after care and the foal. Will you please recommend some good reading material. (This is not her first pregnancy after a previous successful one a few years prior to my obtaining her.Thank you XXXXX
Optional Information: Pet's Sex: Female Pet's Age: >12 Already Tried: Nothing obtained as yet
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As your mare qualifies as an older broodmare due to her age, you may need to be more vigilant on her feed intake to be sure she has ample body condition to properly provide milk when her foal is born. Her physical condition must be maintained, and living in a large area is best, XXXXX XXXXX calm and reliable herd mates. There is a vaccination schedule you must discuss with your veterinarian to be sure she is innoculated for strangles and rhino which are illnesses that can have grave consequences for pregnant mares. Her hoof care must be maintained to be sure she is comfortable while carrying her foal to end of term. As for pregant mare literature, there are many good books on the subject such as "Veterinary Guide to Horse Breeding", and "The complete book of foaling". Your vet can inform you of region-specific hazards such as local precautions to take as well as checking her in foal periodically to be sure all is going well. If you have never foaled out a mare yourself, you will want some guidance at the end of gestation as well. There are farms that can foal out your mare, special alert devices to place on her, or the use of closed circuit cameras to help you be there during the special time. Be sure to keep hygiene in mind when having her around other horses and keep her fit, as a fit mare is less likely to have problems during pregnancy than an unfit mare. Congratulations and have fun with your mare and her foal to be! It is the ultimate in horse owning and you are in for a treat!
Best Regards,
Susie L, MS
Experience: 30+ years of horse ownership, 15+ years of equine massage therapy, saddle fit, equine biomechanist