-
Step 1
While you cannot prevent many premature births, avoid breeding mares who have a history of foaling prematurely.
-
Step 2
To give your foal the best chance of survive, make sure your mare is healthy when bred and while pregnant. Discuss an appropriate vaccination schedule and de-worming schedule with your veterinarian and stick with it.
-
Step 3
If your mare goes into labor before 300 days of gestation, realize the foal's chances of survival are almost non-existent.
-
Step 4
If your mare delivers a premature foal, call your veterinarian immediately for an examination.
-
Step 5
While waiting on the veterinarian, observe the foal. Can he stand? If so, does he try to nurse? Does he urinate and defecate? Let your veterinarian know about any abnormalities.
-
Step 6
Have your veterinarian test your foals to make sure he got immunoglobulins (IGs) from the mare's colostrum. These IGs are critical because they provide the foal with immunity to disease until his own immune system functions properly.
-
Step 7
Premature foals often have trouble keeping warm, so you need to keep a close eye on your foal and install heat lamps if he cannot maintain his body temperature.
-
Step 8
Premature foals often have trouble standing and nursing. You may have to help your foal stand. If he cannot nurse, you will need to feed him from a bucket or bottle. If he cannot drink from a bucket or bottle, a foal with have to use an IV to provide him fluids.
-
Step 9
Keep your premature foal and his dam separated from other horses. He'll be small and susceptible to injuries. His immune function may be impaired so he could more easily catch disease.
-
Step 10
Check on the foal frequently. Notify your veterinarian of any behavioral or physical changes in your foal.
-
Step 11
Follow your veterinarian's advice carefully.
