Work With Your Newborn

By Patrick Hooks

The older I get, the easier it gets for me to admit that getting the little ones sacked out real good at birth makes it a little easier for me to start them in their twos and threes. Imprinting or giving a little TLC to your foal is a real good place to start. The foal pictured in this article is only a few hours old, and already she has been sacked out with a rope and blanket. A few short sessions spent with a foal at this time in its life will build great trust with humans, so when she reaches an age to be handled daily and ridden, the dividends from the time spent now will be priceless.

Here's a tip for you buckaroos: take a moment to notice the boots I'm wearing in the photo at right. They're steel-toed. The babies are going to step on your feet when you handle them at first, not out of bad nature, but from survival instincts. My language and emotions are spared with a little foot protection. It is much better to swear by the boots than to swear at the foal. I also use a soft cotton or wool blanket to sack the foal out with. Naturally, sacking out should feel pleasant to the baby. The rope I use is XXX soft and has a metal honda (the small loop at the end of the rope that you use to make the throwing loop). The soft ply is not as likely to burn, and the metal honda will release quickly if any slack is thrown into the lariat.


I break the foal’s sacking out into a series of steps. The photo at left shows the minimum amount I like to accomplish with foals before I continue with their health care. First I place myself between the mare and foal while the mother is either pacified with a little feed, tied with a loose wrap, or restrained to the outside of the pen.

When you first show up on the scene, the foal will move away from you, then it will try to return to its mother. Simply keep placing yourself between the two. It helps greatly to kneel down to the foal’s eye level as it returns to its mama. This lower position lets the foal see you in a way that is not so predatory as when you were towering over it. Eventually, the foal’s curiosity will allow you to slip in a rub or receive a sniff. Build from this point.

Next, I pet the foal all over and restrain it lightly. Then I work my way down and pick up each foot. After these starting points, introduce the blanket, rope and other objects. Take your time. If the foal wants to return to mama and get a little milk for security, that's just right. The biggest problem is keeping the mare calm, as it is her instinct to protect her baby.

Once I get a little trust built, I like to treat my newborn with three deals. First, I spray the umbilical cord with iodine. This treatment helps greatly to prevent infection, promote healing, and dry and loosen the umbilical cord. Simply spray the cord from several different angles, making sure it is completely covered, as in the photo below. Some folks prefer to dip the cord rather than spray. I have learned that a little iodine at birth will help prevent those ruptured-looking knots you see on yearlings' bellies.



After that, I give a tetanus shot and finally a shot of vitamins. This is all I do at this time. The foal’s individual vaccines will be administered at a later date. In the meantime, its immune system draws from vaccines given to the mare during late pregnancy.

Remember, this is equine, not bovine, we're dealing with. I find it is much easier to give the shots if you insert the needle by itself first, as in the photo at right. Then replace the syringe back to the needle and administer the shot. This will allow a rubbing and stroking action from your hand before you insert the actual needle. I have found that giving the shots with all the components attached together is very awkward, and I end up jabbing the needle rather than inserting it smoothly. If you aren’t experienced with giving shots, better contact your local vet for advice. Of course, the biggest percentage of folks who read this article won't be vets, but I'm sure they will have enough common sense to recognize a horse's butt when they see one.

Hope this tidbit helps you with your foals this season. Always remember: There is one bit that works on all horses, a bit of knowledge. Until we meet again, hope the good Lord blesses you, your family and your livestock.

God bless, Pat Hooks

[editor's note: nwhs urges you to consult with your vet for training before any administering injections or medication to your horses]