What to expect in your download:

Newborn Foal Health Checklist: The Critical First 24 Hours

A complete hour-by-hour guide to ensure your newborn foal gets the healthiest possible start

The first 24 hours after foaling are the most critical period in your foal’s entire life. Knowing what to check, when to check it, and which signs require immediate veterinary attention can literally mean the difference between life and death.

This comprehensive checklist gives you a clear timeline of essential health checks, normal parameters, and warning signs so you can confidently monitor your newborn foal through those crucial first hours. No more wondering “is this normal?” or “should I call the vet?” – you’ll know exactly what to look for at each stage.

After 25+ years of breeding warmbloods, I’ve created this checklist to give you the same systematic approach I use with every foal born on my property. It’s designed for both first-time breeders who need extra guidance and experienced breeding programs that want a reliable reference tool.

Inside Your Complete Newborn Foal Health Guide

✓ Hour-by-hour timeline for the first 24 hours: Know exactly what to check and when, from the moment of birth through that critical first day. Clear timing for standing (within 1 hour), nursing (within 2 hours), passing meconium (within 3 hours), and more

✓ Normal vs. emergency indicators: Learn the difference between normal newborn behavior and red flags that require immediate veterinary attention. Includes vital signs, breathing patterns, nursing behavior, and movement milestones with clear “call the vet NOW” criteria

✓ Complete health assessment checklist: Step-by-step evaluation covering umbilical cord care, breathing and heart rate, body temperature, nursing reflex, IgG testing timing, and meconium passage – everything essential to newborn foal health

✓ Visual reference guide: Photos and descriptions of what healthy foal behavior looks like at each stage, so you can quickly identify when something seems “off” even if you can’t pinpoint exactly what

✓ Veterinary intervention triggers: Clear list of situations that require immediate vet calls vs. things to monitor vs. normal variations. Takes the guesswork out of when to pick up the phone

✓ Record-keeping template: Document your foal’s progress with spaces to note timing of key milestones, vital signs, nursing sessions, and any concerns. Creates a complete health record and helps identify patterns if problems develop

✓ Troubleshooting guide: Common newborn foal issues (weak nursing, failure to stand, abnormal breathing) with immediate actions you can take while waiting for the vet

Perfect for: First-time breeders wanting confidence and clarity, experienced breeders who want a systematic reference tool, breeding programs training staff, or anyone who wants to ensure their newborn foal gets the best possible start. This checklist ensures nothing gets missed during those critical first hours.