Foaling season is a truly special time, filled with anticipation, preparation, and the joy of welcoming new life into your stable. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about foaling stables – from what they are to how to get them ready for a safe, healthy birth.
Getting Ready For Foaling Season
Supporting your horse through pregnancy is such an exciting and rewarding experience – as horse owners, there’s nothing quite like watching a healthy foal take its first steps. But before that magical moment arrives, it’s vital to ensure your stables are properly prepared. A safe, clean, and comfortable environment is essential for supporting your pregnant mare and giving her foal the best start possible. With a little planning and care, you can create the perfect space for a calm and successful foaling.
What are Foaling Stables?
A foaling stable – often called a foaling box – is a specially designed stable that provides a safe, quiet space for a mare to give birth. These stables are typically larger than standard loose boxes, offering plenty of room for the mare to lie down and move comfortably during labour. The extra space also allows handlers or veterinarians to assist safely if needed. It’s important that your foaling stables provide a calming and safe atmosphere, helping to reduce stress for your mare and create a clean, cosy space for the newborn foal. A well-prepared foaling stable is essential for a smooth, stress-free delivery.
What Size Should a Foaling Box Be?
A foaling box should be spacious enough to allow the mare to move freely and lie down comfortably during labour, while also giving enough room for safe observation and assistance. The recommended minimum size is around 4m x 4m, but it depends on the size of your horse – larger is often considered better.
At Prime Stables, our foaling boxes start at 4.2m in width and 3.6m in depth, offering generous space for both mare and foal. We understand that every setup is unique, which is why we’re happy to manufacture bespoke dimensions to suit your needs. A roomy, well-designed foaling box helps ensure a safe and comfortable foaling experience.
Preparing For a Comfortable, Healthy Birth
Preparing your foaling stable properly is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure a smooth, healthy birth. It’s best to get the space ready well in advance – ideally a few weeks before the expected due date – so your mare has plenty of time to move in, settle, and feel safe in her surroundings. A calm, familiar environment goes a long way in helping her relax when the time comes to foal.
Before the birth, remove all unnecessary equipment and thoroughly disinfect the space using an equine-friendly cleaning agent. This helps reduce the risk of infection and ensures there are no sharp edges or trip hazards that could cause injury during labour.
A soft, comfortable floor is essential. We recommend laying down rubber matting – especially if your stables are built on concrete – and topping it with deep, clean straw bedding.
As mares often foal at night, soft, low-level lighting is also a great addition. It allows you to observe without startling the mare, and helps ensure a safe delivery.
Explore our range of stable accessories to help complete your perfect foaling setup.
Creating a Safe Environment For Your Foals
It’s an incredibly special moment when a new foal arrives – and now it’s time to ensure their first hours and days are as safe and comfortable as possible. Your foaling stable should be clean, warm, and free from any potential hazards. Remove sharp edges or loose equipment, and make sure the space is tidy and easy to maintain. Use clean, dust-free bedding to protect their delicate lungs, and ensure there’s enough room for the foal to move around, stand, and begin exploring. A calm, hazard-free environment gives your newborn foal the very best start to a happy, healthy life.
Ongoing Equine Support and Care
Ongoing support and care are essential as your foal grows and develops. At Prime Stables, we’re proud to provide high-quality, practical, and long-lasting equine buildings, including bespoke foaling boxes, horse stables, mobile field shelters, and more. Designed with both horses and their owners in mind, our structures support the health, comfort, and safety of your animals. Invest in your horse’s care and explore our ranges today.
