| Author |
Message |
    
Kjersti Tackett
Neonate
Username: Freetodream
Post Number: 9
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 06:16 pm: | 
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Hi everyone we've got two babies coming the end of Feb.(what was I thinking?) and two the first part of april. I'm not too worried about the April ones but I am about the early ones. We live in Idaho so my question is how cold is too cold for newborns? It is not uncommon to have temps hovering around 0-15f for weeks in feb. here. I'm thinking we need to buy some heaters at least for the early two. I've heard bad stories about foal blankets so I don't think we want to go there. What kinds/brands/setups of heaters have you all tried or use now? I had looked at some infrared types that looked promising I think Kalglo was the brand; anybody heard of them? Anyway I appreciate the feedback I just wanted to be prepared and get an idea what we need to do to be ready. Thanks, Kjersti |
Kassie Finley
Breeding Stock
Username: Jkqh
Post Number: 237
Registered: 05-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 06:26 pm: |
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I have the same question. We also have a mare due in Feb and I don't know what to use to help keep the stall comfortable for the new baby. I have heard of heat lamps and then I also heard of some people using sweat shirts on the foals. |
Lori aka " Raven"
Breeding Stock
Username: Raven
Post Number: 431
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 08:30 pm: |
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I had used a heat lamp in one corner of the stall so the foal can find the warmth but also get out of it if it is to warm. Core body heat is very important on a new born. A heat lamp also doubles as warming the bedding when the foal is not laying there. |
dreamonthefly
Neonate
Username: Dreamonthefly
Post Number: 10
Registered: 06-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 09:55 pm: |
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I breed Thoroughbreds and we have 3 babies coming within 10 days from Jan 30 to Feb 10. I prefer a DRAFT FREE barn to artificial lighting. We use common sense regarding turnout...but it's never been a problem. I used to work on a big TB breeding farm and never used any lamps etc. If a foal is comprimised at birth I would definitely introduce a heat source, but if not...keep him dry and draft free. by the way....we live in Canada. |
Heather Kutyba
Breeding Stock
Username: Heatherck11
Post Number: 316
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - 10:56 pm: |
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I use radiant heaters. Good in the sense that they don't "heat up" the barn, but sure made a BIG difference when my mare foaled this year.
Granted, I'm in TX (yes, go ahead and laugh), but when it gets cold, the humidity makes it miserable.
I will check and see what brand the heaters are that I have.
I did try using foal blankets...but have since thrown them out. Too many incidences of foals getting tangled in them....I'd rather put up heaters.
Have seen the sweatshirts used fine by others though. |
Megan Diehl
Weanling
Username: Megan
Post Number: 37
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 08:37 am: |
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We had a foal born in March in Wisconsin! We just got him dry right away! We put up a heat lamp but he never really seemed to use it. Mom did more standing under it than him! We bedded deep with straw and covered any holes in the stall with old feedbags to keep the drafs out! He came out just fine!
Good luck! |
Kjersti Tackett
Neonate
Username: Freetodream
Post Number: 10
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 09:42 am: |
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These are the ones I had looked at. http://www.stallmats.com/products-ranch/kec/stalls.htm
I was just going to put one on one side of the stall so the foal could leave if they were too warm. But OTOH if a heat lamp (like light bulb type?) would work just as well then I'll save my pennies -g- |
Lori aka " Raven"
Breeding Stock
Username: Raven
Post Number: 432
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 10:08 am: |
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Heat lamp works just the same.... |
Rhonda Bock
Neonate
Username: Bitznspurz
Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 06:26 pm: |
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Well I also have a foal due beginning of February, and I bought a really nice fleece foal blanket that I plan on Using...Im located on the West Coast on Vancouver Island, and our weather is very unpredictable...
I have friends with a breeding farm that use these blankets with the one belly strap and have never had troubles with them
I have seen comparable foal blankets for sale on Ebay for only $6.00 and maybe the same to ship...Might be worth picking one up?
(Message edited by BitzNSpurz on December 21, 2006) |
Elise Krueger
Nursing Foal
Username: Elise
Post Number: 14
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Friday, December 22, 2006 - 05:43 am: |
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I think I might be of some help here. We live in northeastern minnesota. My first foal is due January 3rd. The next one due March 8th. We always foal our mares early if we can (futurities)
The most important thing you can do is:
1. prevent drafts
2. be there when the mare foals.
3. Dry the foal immediately. We use towels first, then a hair dryer. You don't want them to get chilled.
4. Be absolutely they get colostrum (first milk) within the first hour of birth.
I use "big D" foal blankets. They are great. I have several sizes that have lasted for years. In each foaling stall we use a radient heater. The foals find that heat source quickly and lay under it. We have been very fortunate to have never had a sick baby or a problem in any way.
The initial expense is well worth it. Hope that
helps. Here is the url of the heat lamps we use.
http://www.kalglo.com/stallhtr.htm |
Heather Kutyba
Breeding Stock
Username: Heatherck11
Post Number: 361
Registered: 01-2006
| | Posted on Friday, December 22, 2006 - 11:18 pm: |
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Elise,
I second you on the radient heaters. They are all I use. They really are very reasonable, and work great. Foals learn quickly where to lay!
By chance, do you remember where you got your Big D foal blanket? They are my favorite blankets, but I've yet to find somewhere to get the baby blanket. Other brands just are a huge flop...and dangerous. |
Elise Krueger
Nursing Foal
Username: Elise
Post Number: 16
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, December 23, 2006 - 06:24 am: |
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Heather,
We've been doing this for many years and through trial and error I've settled on the Big D foal blankets. Some are 10 years old and still in great shape. They wash in the washer like a dream.
I order my baby blankets at: http://estrellahorseblankets.com/store/product62.html They are 53.00 through size 40. For the larger sizes (around 70.00) I order from blanketbarn.com.
The price is relatively cheap considering how long they last. I've tried many other ones that were cheaper, but they are long gone. The big d's stay in place. The worst type I've used are the "expand" as they grow types....dangerous !!
you can email me at elise@kruegerranch.com if you have questions. For the new babies I do not order the wide belly band, as they can irritate the navel...plus they ad 20.00 to the price. I love the individual hind leg straps. |
