Saddle Creek Farm is a high quality 26 acre professional equine mare care and foaling facility located in the De Luz Canyons of North San Diego County, California. Saddle Creek Farm has earned the respect and support of the San Luis Equine Hospital which refers horses to us and provides equine counseling when necessary, as does San Luis Rey Downs. Saddle Creek Farm takes great pride in listening to our clients and delivering affordable services they have requested. Pregnant mares can be fussy about delivering their foals especially when people are constantly watching them. The 24 hour video foaling surveillance helps to solve the mare's problem and enables us to keep an eye on things and attend to foaling delivery problems that sometimes occur during the prenatal and post natal birthing process. You can be assured we will take care of your horse as requested and provide around the clock care with qualified staff on the grounds at all times.
Pre-weaning Foal Management
During the pre-weaning, or suckling, phase of the foal's life, the foal is growing rapidly and can gain up to 2.5 to 3 pounds a day under good conditions. During this period, the foal increases its interactions with the surrounding environment and gains independence from the dam.
Foal Handling
Foals that are handled and gentled before weaning are usually less stressed during the weaning process and may learn more rapidly than foals that are not handled.
Creep Feeding
Creep feeding foals with a balanced creep ration can optimize growth and introduces the foal to the feed it will be eating after weaning.
Health Care
- Health management of the foal can reduce injuries and diseases.
- We offer high quality hands-on programs to ensure every mare and foal has a happy and healthy experience.
For more information please visit our web site at: http://saddle-creek-farm.com
http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-exclusives/foal-safe-plan.aspx
Mare Care and Monitoring:
- 24 Hour monitoring
- Large foaling stalls
- Video surveillance in stalls
- Mare de-wormed after foaling (within 24 hours)
- On call veterinarian
Foal Care, Management and Monitoring:
- Umbilical cord dipped in nolvasan solution
- Administer enema to foal
False Alarms
- Movement of the foal or other internal organs can cause colic signs, making it appear like the mare is ready to deliver.
- Veterinary examination may be needed to distinguish between the two.
Distressed foals
- Distressed foals can quickly die and time is of the essence.
- The parturition process is much more explosive in mares than in cows or ewes.
Video Surveillance
- Video surveillance of foaling is highly recommended.
- It avoids stressing the mare by constantly turning on the lights.
- It allows the horses a more peaceful night.
