Foaling season is the toughest time for owners of miniature horses who have bred mares. We stay up
most all nights for approximately 100 nights. Our foaling season starts around the end of January or
first of February until the middle of May. It is very important to be at the foaling process with
miniature horses. The majority of mares deliver without any problem, however just a minor problem
can be the difference between a live foal and a dead foal. It only take a few minutes of a mare
delivering a foal without standing up for it to suffocate in the sack. Or to have a foal with a leg tucked
back to prevent it from being delivered by the mare by herself. The majority of foal loses are from
foals not being able to get out of the sack as they are not strong enough to break the sack without
the mare standing up. So it is important to be with them to aid in the foaling process. For us for
the more complicated deliveries it is good to have OB lube for helping deliver baby miniature
horses, as it can be used as an ingredient to help slide the foal out. We also keep on hand what is
known as a calf head puller that can be put around the foal's head to act as though you have a halter
on the head for pulling. If you have never delivered a foal it is best to have a vet on emergency
call during foaling season. Having helped foal close to 2000 foals over the years, the time and lack
of sleep is worth the outcome.
Photo of a few days old baby miniature horse.