How to Create a Safe Foaling Stall

Building the perfect foaling stall is all about creating a comfortable, safe environment for your mare. Prepare your foaling stall early, because if there is a single hazard in the stall your newborn foal will find it. Move your mare into her new stall at least two weeks before her foaling date to give her time to adjust to her new surroundings and to create antibodies against any germs.

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a stall that is large and roomy. It should be significantly larger than a regular 12 by 12 foot box stall, at least 12 by 20 so your mare doesn't crush or accidentally hurt the foal during birthing. The stall you should not be drafty, but have good ventilation. If possible choose a location where your mare can see her equine buddies, but no horses are next door. In most cases it is very easy to convert two smaller side-by-side box stalls into one large foaling stall by removing the dividers or connecting wall.

    • 2

      Remove all possible hazards from the stall. Check all boards (floor and walls) and remove any hooks, nails or splinters that are protruding. Remove any cords, chains or dangling ropes. Think of everything from the foal's point of view, cracks and spaces between boards that pose no threats to your mare can be dangerous to a foal's little legs.

    • 3

      Strip and clean the stall from top to bottom. Remove all bedding and any feeders and/or other buckets. Then sweep the floor and walls to remove any dust, debris and cobwebs.

    • 4

      Disinfect the stall using a power washer and mixture of concentrated disinfectant and water. Give the buckets and feeders a thorough scrubbing with a drop of laundry detergent. Make sure to rinse the buckets and feeders well.

    • 5

      Fill in any uneven areas or holes in the stall floor. The stall should be completely level. If possible lay down wall-to-wall stall mats to provide cushioning and extra grip.

    • 6

      Bed the stall with clean straw or shredded paper that is certified to be free of toxic chemicals. Other forms of bedding, sawdust and shavings, will cling to your newborn foal and are extremely porous which makes them prime breeding ground for bacteria.

    • 7

      Re-mount any buckets and/or feeders high enough so that your new foal can't knock them over or get a leg stuck. The buckets should be disinfected and free of any sharp edges.