The Foaling Primer: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising a Healthy Foal

By Cynthia McFarland

When its springtime in horse country, few sights stir the hearts of horse lovers more than that of mares and foals on good green pasture. It is an image filled with both the satisfaction of the moment and the promise of the future. For horse people, the foaling process is one of the most critical and satisfying aspects of ownership. The Foaling Primer captures the foaling experience in amazing, up-close photographs taken by noted horse photographer Bob Langrish. The friendly, informative text guides the reader through the first year of a foals life with detailed descriptions and instructions on birth, care, handling, training, and weaning. Perfect for novice horse owners, first-time farmers, 4-H and Pony Club members, and anyone who is fascinated by horses and their lives, this introductory handbook provides everything one needs to know to be successful with a foal. The chapters are divided along critical points in a foals developmental timeline: the first 24 hours, the early weeks, one to three months, four to six months, weaning time, and approaching the yearling mark. There are how-to boxes for such tasks as bottle-feeding, introducing a foal to grooming, and practicing rope leading; to-do lists for each stage of a foals development; charts of whats normal and whats not (with clear guidance on when to call a vet); lists of supplies and equipment needed; definitions of key words and terms; and forms to use for accurate record keeping. The pages of this hard-working guide are sure to be dog-eared by the time a foal reaches the one-year mark, as readers will refer to it again and again for reassurance, guidance, and complete, dependable information.