Pack the foaling kit

Foaling is an exciting and transformative time for both the mare and the owner. By being well prepared, you can create a sense of security and reduce the risk of stress if something unexpected happens. Two important parts of preparation are having a packed foaling kit ready and ensuring the stall and environment are set.

A so-called “foaling kit” or “foaling box” is a collection of essential items you’ll want close at hand when the time comes. The idea is that you can act quickly without having to search for equipment.

Checklist to tick off:

Towels/terry cloths – to dry the foal and keep it warm.
Disinfectant (chlorhexidine/iodine) – for navel care or cleaning if needed.
Sterile scissors – if the umbilical cord needs to be cut under veterinary guidance.
Disposable gloves – for hygienic handling.
Buckets – for both hot and cold water.
Thermometer – to quickly check the mare’s or foal’s temperature.
Rope or straps – only to be used after veterinary advice.
Headlamp or flashlight – if foaling happens at night or in poor lighting.
Important phone numbers on paper – veterinarian, clinic, or experienced horse people, in case your phone fails.

Do more in the Avla app

This article is just part of what's inside Avla. The app is where breeders plan their next foal, whether it's your first mare or your fortieth season. Open it and you get the full picture: every guide, every stallion, and the tools to put what you read into practice.

And Avla goes well beyond browsing stallions. It’s your digital breeding partner, with you from the first “which stallion?” all the way to the foal on the ground. Calculate inbreeding between any mare and stallion in seconds, so you can match with confidence instead of crossing your fingers. Track your mare’s heat cycles, log every covering, treatment, and ultrasound, and follow her through pregnancy with a calendar that walks you week by week. And when you’re weighing your options, Stig, Avla’s AI breeding advisor, is there to talk through matches and answer your breeding questions like a friend who knows their bloodlines.

No scattered notebooks, no guesswork. Just your whole breeding journey in one place, free to download on the App Store and Google Play.

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