Storey’s Guide to Raising Horses comprehensive guide covers all aspects of the horse from birth to old age By Nancy Brannon There is a preponderance of Storey’s Guides covering just about every type of livestock. They are known for being comprehensive sources of information about the animals and great primers for the beginner or a reference for the experienced. A new edition of Storey’s Guide to Raising Horses © 2009 by Heather Smith Thomas is now available. The updated edition includes information about the latest medical research and technology, greener horsekeeping and pasturing methods, expanded coverage of disease prevention and vaccination options, updated hoof care advice, the latest on reproductive care and techniques, daily health care routines, foaling and weaning guidance, and safe paddock options. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of the horse from birth to old age. Both first-time owners and veteran handlers of horses of all riding disciplines can have the information about a wide variety of horse care topics. Part I covers basic horsekeeping: facilities, feeding and nutrition, seasonal care (winter, spring, summer), foot care, and safe horse handling techniques. Part II goes into detail about horse care, such as recognizing the signs of health and sickness; how to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious and non-infectious diseases. There are sections on parasites, toxic plants, skin problems, dental care, digestive tract problems and colic, and first aid and medical treatments. Part III covers all aspects of breeding: selecting breeding stock, genetics, keeping a stallion, breeding and care of broodmares, foaling, care of the newborn foal, and care of the young horse. Of particular interest for this month’s Mid-South Horse Review are the chapters on foaling and newborn foal care. Following are some excerpts. Prepare for foaling by choosing a clean, roomy (at least 14 X 16 feet) stall, with straw as the preferred bedding. A level, grassy pasture where the mare can be by herself is also a good place for a healthy mare to foal. Make sure the area is dry and safe with no hazards on which she might injure herself of the foal. About a month before the mare is to foal, her udder will begin to look fuller and larger. A few days before foaling, the muscles on each side of the tail around the pelvic bones become relaxed and droop away from the root of the tail. Secretion from the teats, the “wax,” is one of the most common signs that foaling is imminent. Most mares wax within 24 to 36 hours of labor. As the mare gets ready to foal, give her privacy. If people are constantly around, she may put off foaling. Early labor may last a few hours or up to 72 hours. The mare may not show much outward sign, but there are some subtle changes. She may be restless; her pelvic muscles relax; her sides may appear caved in just in front of the hip bones. Active labor begins when the foal is expelled from the uterus in a series of hard contractions. This stage does not last long. When the water sac ruptures, the foal will come within 10 to 30 minutes. If nothing has happened within 30 minutes after the water breaks, the mare is in trouble. [It is a good idea to call your veterinarian as soon as you see the water break. That way, the veterinarian can arrive on the scene either just after the foal is born to give a check-up, or will be available to help the mare with any trouble she may have.] This chapter gives detailed information and diagrams about normal position and normal foaling and malpresentations. After a normal, unassisted birth, the foal may be wrapped in membrane, but should quickly be able to free himself by shaking his head. He’ll be lying with hind legs still in the birth canal. Don’t try to pull him out or get the mare up. As soon as the sac is off his head and he’s breathing, leave the mare and foal alone. The mare will generally lie there for 10 to 20 minutes. This is nature’s way of making sure the foal gets a full blood supply, pumped through the umbilical cord. The cord rarely bleeds when broken naturally. After the cord breaks, usually when the foal struggles to get on his feet, is the time to soak the entire stump with Nolvasan to disinfect it. The final stage of labor occurs when the mare expels the placenta. It is important that all is expelled. If any part of the placenta is retained inside the mare, it will cause serious uterine infection. After foaling, the mare will be tired, dehydrated and somewhat constipated. Give her plenty of clean, lukewarm water to drink and palatable food. Green grass or alfalfa hay is ideal. She might like a bran mash, which contains needed moisture and laxative properties. Deworm the mare with Ivermectin during the first day after foaling to prevent parasitism in the foal by Stronglyloides. By the time he’s an hour old, the foal should be on his feet and looking for the udder. Make sure he finds it and gets his colostrum, the nutritious first milk that contains needed antibodies for the foal. Colostrum has more energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals than regular milk. It also serves as a gut stimulant to help the foal pass his first bowel movements. The next chapter, “Care of the Young Horse,” covers how to handle and feed the foal, health care of the foal, weaning the foal, and care for weanlings and yearlings. The author, Heather Smith Thomas, has been writing books for Storey since 1997. She became infatuated with horses as a small child, and by the time she went to college in 1962, she had sold 36 articles to various publications about horses and cattle. She currently raises horses and cattle on her family ranch in Salmon, Idaho. A review copy of the book is available in the Mid-South Horse Review office.