We recommend every newborn foal, their mare and afterbirths to have a complete assessment within 24 hours of birth if the foaling was uneventful and the foal is up and sucking normally. It is an emergency if your foal is not up and sucking within 2 hours or if your mare has not passed her afterbirth within 6 hours.
Foals that are unwell very quickly become intensive care cases. Early diagnosis is crucial for a satisfactory outcome. Our vets are experienced in diagnosing and treating neonatal medical conditions. If the foal should require 24/7 monitoring, we will refer it to an appropriate foal intensive care unit in one of the southern hospitals.
Neonatal surgery can be elective or emergency procedures. The surgeons at TEC have great experience with elective surgeries, such as angular limb deformities, umbilical and inguinal hernias, entropion etc.
Emergency surgeries often require foal intensive care and will be referred to a hospital in order for the foal to receive the best possible care.
Registration/identification and DNA testing of foals for any studbook is routinely performed by our vets. Please contact your relevant studbook them first if required and they will send you out paperwork (IHB, Connemara Studbook, Hackney society etc). Registration of thoroughbred foals with Weatherbys Ireland does not need you to acquire paperwork beforehand, although you must register your foal online.