RAMM prides themselves in their ability to offer safe and long-lasting stall options! Your foaling experience starts with creating a secure and comfortable space for your mare and baby. Once that is complete, you can get ready to enjoy the adventure of raising a foal.
Foaling season is upon us!
Breeding and raising a foal can be a very rewarding experience. There’s nothing quite like new life and first moments. Before your foal arrives, you’ll want to make sure your barn is a safe space for them. This includes their stall and your aisleway. Eventually, they’ll make their way to a paddock and field.
Creating a checklist can be very helpful in planning for your new arrival. No shortcuts should be taken. Your facility needs to be safe and appropriate.
Getting Your Barn Ready for a Foal
Let’s start with an appropriate stall. It needs to be spacious enough for both mom and baby. You want the delivery process to go smoothly. Ideally, the stall will be 14’ x 24’ or 12’ x 24’. For some, it may be necessary to remove a stall partition to transform two 12’ x 12’ stalls into one big one. Breeders may find a swinging stall partition helpful. The stall also needs to be of good construction. The walls need to be safe and sturdy. You should look your stall over for potential risks. The gaps between the boards must not be too big. The last thing you need is a tiny foal leg getting caught in one. Ensure there are no protruding nails or jagged boards. The floor should be level with a textured rubber mat on top.
Before you add bedding to your mare’s stall, clean and disinfect it thoroughly. Straw is the ideal choice for foaling. It’s less dusty compared to sawdust. There is a decreased risk of infection and injury with it. The stall should be bedded thickly (at least 10 inches) and all the way up to the door, especially when the mare shows signs of foaling.
Your mare and foal can go outside as soon as they’re healthy and strong. You’ll want to start them in an individual paddock. The foal will follow their dam to this turnout space, but make sure the barn aisleway is cleared of clutter and other hazards. Ideally, your barn flooring will be rubber mats or another type of non-slip surface.
Stall Options
RAMM offers a wide selection of safe and appropriate foaling stalls. The Nobleman and Tuscany Designer Horse Stalls are exquisite in detail. There are many options available to fit your individual needs. From grilled or mesh to solid walls, pick the one that will best serve you. You can also opt for different door options and feed openings.
If you’re looking for a very economical, yet safe and high-quality choice, then consider the Derby Horse Stalls. These are one of the more popular options and have been farm tested! They’re complete with 14-gauge steel body with 7/8″, 16-gauge steel bars.
RAMM prides themselves in their ability to offer safe and long-lasting stall options! Your foaling experience starts with creating a secure and comfortable space for your mare and baby. Once that is complete, you can get ready to enjoy the adventure of raising a foal.
