The Essential Foaling Kit for the First-Time Mare Owner
Rubber Exam Gloves
Toss several pairs of rubber gloves into your kit. You'll use them when handling the placenta, giving enemas, and so forth. You may even want to use a pair when scrubbing with Betadine™ or performing other exams and clean-up. You can buy them at the local drugstore. Opt for the exam gloves to the heavy rubber clean-up gloves a hardware store or grocery store will sell; they're easier to work with, inexpensive, and disposable.
Bucket to Hold the Placenta
As mentioned above, it's important to inspect the afterbirth (placenta) for a variety of reasons. If you don't know what to look for, such as tears that may indicate retained placenta or weight, quality, and other
factors, save it for your veterinarian or an experienced friend to look at. In my region, it's often hot and flies are already present during foaling season. I fill a five-gallon bucket part-way with water, toss the expelled placenta in it, and cover it to keep flies from gathering until I have time to take a proper look at it.
You will also have to dispose of the placenta. If you will be placing it in a commercial trash container, make sure you've bagged it in a heavy black plastic bag and securely tied the end to prevent pests and odor.
Water (and Soap)
Handy wipes, water, soap—they're all necessary for your comfort. I keep a bar of soap in a travel container in my kit. Those hand
