Synopses & Reviews
The Foaling Primer captures the foaling experience in amazing, up-close photographs taken by horse photographer Bob Langrish. The friendly, informative text guides you through the first year of a foal's life with detailed descriptions and instructions on birth, care, handling, training, and weaning. Perfect for novice horse owners, first-time farmers, 4-H and Pony Club members, and anyone who is fascinated by horses and their lives, this introductory handbook provides everything one needs to know to be successful with a foal.
The chapters are divided along critical points in a foal's developmental timeline: the first 24 hours, the early weeks, one to three months, four to six months, weaning time, and approaching the yearling mark. There are how-to boxes for such tasks as bottle-feeding, introducing a foal to grooming, and practicing rope leading; "to-do" lists for each stage of a foal's development; charts of what's normal and what's not (with clear guidance on when to call a vet); lists of supplies and equipment needed; definitions of key words and terms; and forms to use for accurate record keeping.
The pages of this hard-working guide are sure to be dog-eared by the time a foal reaches the one-year mark, as readers will refer to it again and again for reassurance, guidance, and complete, dependable information.
Synopsis
Start Your Foal Off on the Right Hoof
About the Author
Cynthia McFarland has been a horse owner for more than 30 years and has written two books and hundreds of equine articles for numerous publications including Horse Illustrated, Equine Journal, Western Horseman, Horses USA, Quarter Horses USA, and Thoroughbred Times. Cynthia lives in Ocala, Florida — the “Horse Capital of the World.”
Table of Contents
Foreword
Preface and Acknowledgments
1 Getting Ready for the Big Day
2 Your Foal Arrives!
3 Red-Flag Foaling Problems: What to Do and When to Call the Vet
4 The First 24 Hours
5 Handling during the First Days and Weeks
6 The First Weeks
7 One to Three Months: Learning and Growing
8 Four to Six Months: Confidence and Curiosity
9 Weaning Time: Farewell to Mom
10 Growing Up Fast: Weanling to Yearling
11 Paperwork Time: Naming and Registration
12 Record Keeping
Glossary
Resources, Contacts, and Helpful Information
Index