| Here is a quick how to of the preparations for that big | | | | -A reclining lawn chair. You will want to be comfortable |
| day, whether you need it or not. At some point in the | | | | considering you will be waiting a long time. |
| future you will be glad you had all this handy even if | | | | -A good book. Again, you will be there a while, and that |
| you do never use it. | | | | mare is going to take her sweet time so have some |
| -Navel dip. There are lots of new varieties better than | | | | entertainment available for yourself to peruse. |
| iodine, so check to see which one your vet | | | | -A radio. Not just for me, my maiden mares seem to |
| recommends. | | | | enjoy some non-abrasive music, my old polish Arabian |
| -Vet name, number, and emergency contact. This is an | | | | mare enjoys the acoustic guitar in particular that my |
| absolute must, and you really should give them her due | | | | father plays for her. |
| date, and call once you suspect she is ready to deliver. | | | | -A book on foaling, it will probably make you feel better |
| -Cell phone charged. It will make you mad when you | | | | to have one. |
| can't call everyone in the world and brag how | | | | -A partner for trading off and getting some sleep. |
| awesome your baby is. | | | | Maybe a friend just to keep you calm when the foal is |
| -Foal blanket. They can get wet and cold easily, and | | | | born, and share your excitement at an approaching |
| keeping them dry and warm will stave off illness early | | | | baby. |
| in life. | | | | -Clean tail wrap. For the mare, this keeps the tail clean |
| -A thermometer. I check my foals and mares every | | | | and out of the way while the mare gives birth. |
| evening the first week of life, for signs of infections | | | | -A clean, large space for the mare to give birth in. I |
| and the vet will probably ask the temperature if you | | | | have a round pen with a sand floor and it cleans up |
| end up having to call them for anything. | | | | great and is minimal bacterial for the foals. The mares |
| -Penicillin. I give my mares about 10 mL, and is a great | | | | also have much more space and feel less cramped. |
| way to clear up all that mucus in the vaginal tract and | | | | Kick back with a beer and wait for the magic, chances |
| keeps bacterial infections out of the foal. | | | | are very good that your presence will go largely |
| -A bucket. Warm water to wash up the mare and her | | | | unnoticed and mare and foal will be perfectly fine their |
| udder, and later it will contain the placenta for the vet | | | | whole time with you. |
| to examine. | | | | |