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~ Broodmares and Foaling ~
As the cold season comes to a close, the broodmares of Rancho Bayo return from thier winter pastures to begin thier last trimester
of pregnancy. Unborn foals gain over 65% of thier body weight during this time and the mare needs added nutrients and protein.
We slowly add in extra feed, coastal and alfalfa hay plus special herbs and other supplementation.
Our mares are dewormed with a mild dewormer three to four weeks before foaling. We are careful with using any ivermectin
as young foals can easily colic if they ingest any feces from a horse that had been recently dewormed with this specific medication.
We do resume use of this product with mares and other horses that are pastured with the foals after they are five months
of age.
The mares get readjusted to thier summer pasture and reunited with the previous seasons fillies. They will help raise the
next generation of foals along with the mares, just as they do in natural settings.
As the mares get closer to foaling, they come into the barn at night to relax. We have found this is what they prefer
as opposed to staying out in the pasture all night. It seems they are much more settled and comfortable. The closer they
get to thier actual foal date, they get a little more demanding as to when they would like to come in!
At least two weeks before foaling, they stay overnight in the area that they will foal in. We have a large covered pen
that is split in half (just over 30' x 30' ). This is important because the mare needs to build up antibodies against any
germs or bacteria specific to that area.
More to come . . .
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