How to Make a Makeshift Foal Blanket

Foaling and breeding season starts in the winter months and into the spring. Sometimes it is too cold to let a newborn or young foal be outside but they benefit from the exercise. With a simple piece of clothing that we all have in our dresser, you can make a quick blanket to keep a foal warm for a short turnout.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Adult sized sweatshirt (Women's small or medium)
• Large/strong rubberband
• Another person

1. Cut the arms off of the sweatshirt. You can leave a little bit of sleeve if you like, but the less you leave, the freer the foal can move.
2. Slip the head of the sweatshirt over the foal's head.
3. Place the foal's legs through each armhole gently.
4. Pull the sweatshirt back over the rest of their body.
5. Bunch up the bottom of the sweatshirt at the start of the butt to make it snug around the foal's body. The underneath should tighten up right in front of the flank.
6. Tie off this collection of fabric with the rubber band or anything else that you might have around. Try to keep the tie something soft and flexible so it can come loose if needed and not be sharp and cut the foal.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to get the best sized sweatshirt to fit the foal. Baby horses are generally 80 to 100 pounds when born and will quickly grow larger within weeks.