It is just as important to carry out vaccinations, worm control, routine dental care and disease monitoring in broodmares and foals as it is in non-breeding, adult horses.

Here are some recommendations, which you should discuss with your vet to ensure they are appropriate for your situation:

Vaccinations, injections and blood samples

Mare

  1. Equine Herpes Virus vaccination: At 5, 7 and 9 months of pregnancy.
  2. Flu and tetanus vaccination: Last month of pregnancy.
  3. Rotavirus vaccination: [OPTIONAL] More important in bigger studs where there is likely to be a higher amount of Rotavirus in the environment. Vaccination is given at 8, 9 and 10 months of pregnancy.

Foal

  1. Tetanus Anti-toxin injection: Given at birth into the muscle.
  2. IgG blood test: To check immunoglobulin G for failure of passive transfer when the foal is 12-18 hours old.
  3. ‘Flu and tetanus vaccination: Start the primary course when the foal is over 6 months old.

Dentistry

Mare

  1. Routine dentistry:  Floating’ or ‘rasping’ should be carried out at least once a year, with some horses requiring more regular care. It is vital for the mare to be gaining the required nutrition from the food you are feeding whilst the foal is developing during pregnancy and whilst the mare is nursing.

Foal

  1. Examine the foal at birth For any palate abnormalities (e.g. cleft palate), parrot mouth, underbite, wry nose, etc.
  2. Routine dental examinations:  should start when they are yearlings to correct any issues early on.
  3. Routine rasping/foating: normally required by the time the horse is 2 years old, if not before

Worm Control

Mare

  1. Moxidectin and Praziquantel late autumn/early winter, to control tapeworms, encysted redworms and other strongyles.
  2. Worm Egg Count every 3 months, throughout the rest of the year to assess strongyle burden.
  3. Ivermectin during last month of pregnancy if not recently treated with ivermectin already and you have had a previous problem with Strongyloides westeri (threadworm) on the premises.

Foal

  1. Fenbendazole (single dose) at 2 and 4 months old, to control ascarids (roundworms), especially if there is existing paddock contamination.
  2. Worm egg count at 5 months old, to check what is left after the previous worming (this can be done 2 weeks post-worming to perform an ‘efficacy check’).
  3. Worm egg count every 3 months. From thereon,  as per the adult horses.
  4. Moxidectin and praziquantel late autumn/early winter To control tapeworms and encysted redworms and other strongyles
    *Do not use in foals less than 6 1/2 months old*
  5. Continue with adult worming programme, as recommended here for the mare. However, younger horses may need more frequent worm egg counts, as the worm burden can increase more quickly after treatment than in mature, adult horses.
  6. Some young horses require a second moxidectin treatment in the late winter/early spring, especially if they are grazing outside in mild winter conditions.

Good management is essential

  1. Clean foaling boxes regularly to prevent the build-up of Strongyloides westeri
  2. Do not overstock paddocks, barns, etc.
  3. Do not use the same paddocks for foals/ yearlings in successive years, if possible
  4. Remove dung from paddocks at least twice a week (foal and yearling paddocks should be prioritised for this.

Paddocks, stables, buckets and tools

It is strongly advised that mares and foals, both during pregnancy and after birth, are kept separate from other adult horses. This is to prevent worms and other infectious diseases from spreading between the groups. Adults can infect youngstock with worms, bacteria and viruses that they cannot yet cope with. Youngstock can also spread diseases to the adult horses, which could disrupt their ability to be exercised/ competed.

Ideally you should carry out the following:

  1. Separate fields for mare and foal, which are never shared with the other adult horses.
  2. Separate stabling, buckets and tools.
  3. Wash hands and boots +/- change clothing when moving between the breeding group and the nonbreeding group.
  4. If any diseases are suspected, immediately isolate that group and the individuals if necessary, and call your vet.

Refer to the HBLB Codes of Practice for further guidance. Alternatively, this information can be downloaded in the EquiBioSafe mobile app.

Check List Timeline

This timeline provides a useful checklist of actions that should be taken from prior to the mare being covered through to weaning the foal.

Mare

Preparation for covering

  • Test for CEM, EIA and EVA

Covering

Scan to confirm pregnancy at 16 days Scan for viable foal at 35 days

Gestation

  • 1st Herpes vaccine at 5 months
  • 2nd Herpes vaccine at 7 months
  • 3rd Herpes vaccine at 9 months
  • Flu & tetanus vaccine booster at 10 months
  • Ivermectin during last month of pregnancy for Strongyloides westeri if high risk (discuss with your vet)

Foal

Foaling

  • Tetanus Anti-toxin at birth
  • IgG blood test at 12–18 hrs old

Foal at Foot

  • Fenbendazole at 2 months
  • Fenbendazole at 4 months
  • Worm egg count at 5 months and then every 3 months going forward

Weaning

  • Start ‘fu vaccinations between 6–7 months old

Both mare and foal (once over 6 1/2 months) need treating with moxidectin at Christmas/New Year (and praziquantel if not previously administered)