Hi, I would like some advice about cleaning my mare's teats in her last trimester and after she starts bagging up. How often should this be done?
Right now, I do it once a week or so, and it's always pretty cruddy. She's very good about it, for now I'm not even using any lubricant, I'm just picking at it gently with my fingers. How often should it be done near foaling time? Thanks, guys!
Jos Posted From: 165.121.167.124
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 01:05 am:
Warm water and soap or a sheath cleaner such as Excalibur can be used well before foaling to remove the worst of the smegma ("crud") present. Close to foaling, use just water as use of a cleansing agent such as soap at that time may actually result in an increase of pathogenic presence 24-48 hours or so later, which is undesirable if that is when the foal may be nursing.
Lianne Posted From: 64.230.97.151
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 09:24 pm:
But how often, though? I certainly can't be out there every day (I live 20 minutes from the barn), so how often should the udder be cleaned in the weeks prior to foaling?
Jos Posted From: 165.121.194.121
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 09:38 pm:
You should wash off the mare's udder with just water immediately prior to the foal nursing, which will be (hopefully) within an hour or so of the foaling - which I trust you will be present for??? It is important that you be there for the foaling, as even though there are usually no problems, if there is one, there is usually very little time to fix the problem before it is too late...
So concentrate on being there for the foaling, and then you won't have to worry about washing the udder lots of times prior to foaling!
Anonymous Posted From: 66.36.249.149
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 09:43 pm:
If you can't be there every day to wash the udder, how are you going to be there every HOUR (or less) all through the night EVERY NIGHT when the mare is close to foaling???????
elizabeth Posted From: 64.12.96.40
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 10:22 pm:
It is called foal watch and yes it is not easy and leaves you with many a sleepless night.
but it can be done<g>
Lianne Posted From: 64.230.97.151
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 11:16 pm:
Man, it really irks me when people post simply to criticize or make snide remarks and don't even have the b*lls to post a name. "Anonymous" is so cowardly. For your information, I am moving my mare to a big barn with foaling attendants and paying $$$$ so that she will be monitored carefully. And yes, as soon as she goes into labor I will be called, no matter what time of night it is. But I cannot sleep at the barn, my job will not permit it. Which is why she will be moved to this bigger barn and she will wear a heart monitor. However, I don't think "cleaning her teats" is included in the board price, which is why I'm asking. I guess in retrospect it was a silly question??
Don't assume that just because I can't afford to spend three weeks sleeping at the barn that I won't be taking precautions so that my mare is monitored. Not all of us have our own barns and it doesn't make us irresponsible if we have to board out. ;)
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