The Essential Foaling Kit for the First-Time Mare Owner

A Foaling Kit, Not a Foaling Guide

There's much to know about expectant mares and newborn foals. This article is limited to the assembly of a convenient, useful foaling kit to aid the first-time mare owner. I have not included specific information regarding veterinary procedures or the "how-to" of delivering foals. Use this as your checklist to ensure you have everything you need quickly at hand well in advance of your mare's due date.

Although I make references to the process of foaling, this is in no way intended to be a guide. Ensure you know what to expect. Study up on the signs of normal parturition and the warning signs that something may be amiss. Have an emergency plan in place, including planning for transportation of the horse and foal if necessary; the number of an

 emergency veterinarian; and the assistance of a reliable friend or neighbor if needed.

Bucket to Hold Everything

Oh, the humble bucket. What would horse-owners do without coffee cans, bailing twine, and plastic buckets? Although there are prettier ways to tote your foaling kit, when it comes to function I haven't found anything more reliable, easy, and versatile than a simple plastic bucket. I prefer to store my kit during the off-season in those square plastic tubs that originally contained horse supplements, but at foaling time it all gets dumped into a five-gallon plastic bucket without a lid to get in the way.