How Do You Care For A Foal Down On Its Fetlocks?
The birth of a foal is a wonderful and awe inspiring thing. Whether you are privileged enough to witness the event, or come across the happy surprise one morning, you will want to do some observation on mother and baby. Quite commonly, foals are born with what appear to be deformities in the legs, or appear to have weak fetlocks as they begin to walk around. Stay calm and notify your vet. Your vet will probably want to check how extensive the fetlock buckling is, and will have some recommendations. In the meantime approach the foal, preferably before it has time to get too tired from constant attempts at standing. Staying calm is extremely important, as you are now dealing with not only the foal, but the mare as well. You don’t want to alarm the animals, or upset or provoke the mare. Gently ease the foal into a prone position, so it is laying on its side. The foal will probably try to struggle, so restrain it gently. This is best done with at least two people. Remember to allow the mar
