The birth of the mare and the birth of the foal are unique and extraordinary moments, in which the power of nature and its creatures can be seen. However, they also prove to be difficult hours to manage, both for the mare and for the breeder. In fact, in these cases, man has a responsibility that should not be underestimated, and his role is, to say the least, important in supporting the mare during foaling, as emergencies can occur in which he must act quickly and preparedly. With this in mind, let’s start with an overview of the event and see what help professionals can use to monitor horse births in the best possible way.
Everything you need to know about foaling
Certainly, the vast majority of experts know exactly what we are talking about, as they have lived through this magnificent experience many times. However, all those who are just starting out and are considering entering this world must necessarily be aware of numerous elements that should not be underestimated. In this regard, let us start with the mare’s pregnancy.
This phase lasts about 11 months and, almost always, calving takes place in spring. This is definitely the best time for the birth of a foal: in fact, it is a season when the earth bears fruit and during which nature is at its best, both from the point of view of temperature and of pasture, which is more luxuriant and suitable for the growth of the newly-born foals.
Nature plays its part, but so does man
As we said, man plays an important role in the gestation phase, as he follows the mare by paying attention to the progress of the pregnancy, but above all with regard to the foaling and birth of the foal.
In this regard, it is worth noting that many breeders prefer to programme births in the first months of the year. In this way, they are able to participate in auctions for the sale of specimens, or they can have newborns competing already during the same year. The breeder can tell when the time of birth is approaching: a few days earlier, the mare becomes more nervous and her body swells, both in the belly area and, of course, in the udder area. Among other things, we can say that a little bit her whole physicality undergoes a transformation, as she is going to prepare herself for the moment when she will have to give birth to the baby.
The main problem is that foaling mostly takes place during the night and, in order to avoid complications, the breeder must be ready to assist the mare. However, despite the signs, one can never know exactly when the happy event will occur. In addition, mares have been known to ‘hold back’ until they find their deserved privacy. This makes it even more difficult to predict when the foal’s birth will take place, which is why many professionals miss out on many births of their own specimens.
How to solve this problem effectively?
Certainly, a very effective solution is to keep the mare under control: when she is about to give birth, she will lie down. Eventually, her waters will break and labour will begin, which will last about an hour. Following the mare during her last days, however, may mean spending many sleepless nights and not all breeders manage to do this. Therefore, enlisting the support of human technology may prove crucial.
Usually, the mare’s delivery is not difficult, even when the foal is not in the correct position. However, being present and alerting the vet is always a good idea and a great way to prevent or treat any problems immediately. With this in mind, our company is committed to meeting the needs of breeders by offering C6 Birth Control, an innovative system for monitoring mare births.
C6 Birth Controlfor constant monitoring of foal births
Sisteck proposes the ‘C6 Birth Control’ farrowing signalling system, an efficient kit consisting essentially of a micro-transmitter and a receiver apparatus with a GSM modem that registers up to 8 telephone numbers, which, after correct installation, will alert breeders at the time of foaling. Thanks to this feature, the system alerts the set phone numbers by making a call and notifying them in real time of the mare’s need for assistance.
Without having to use fixed lines, this system is a valuable aid for breeders, who will be able to attend the foal’s birth and follow the mare’s delivery from start to finish, supporting her during any critical moments. If you are interested and would like more information about this innovative device, please do not hesitate to contact our technical experts: they will be able to answer all your questions thoroughly. We look forward to seeing you!
