What is the ideal bedding to use in a foaling stall to prevent infections in the foal?

Answer 1

well, the beding a horse would like to give birth on would be a warm blanket or somthing that makes them cozy and warm!
What I use is paper bedding (shredded newspaper) covered with grass hay.

Paper bedding is very absorbent, once it is wet it sticks together for easy removal and replacement and prevents rubber mats from becoming slick.

I use grass hay over the top because it is not a byproduct of another growth process (like straw) so the producer has made an effort to insure that it is clean, mold and dust free and has the added advantages that the mare can eat it before and after foaling and I don't need extra storage space.
straw- i think that's correct for howrse to!

if you go on howrse- pm me! im 22barbaro22!!!
Preparing your mare for foaling, and making sure your new foal is comfortable is essencial in his health. I have written an article on when my mare foaled, and how we prepared & cared for her, and our new foal. This is the link: http://www.ehow.com/how_4526561_prepare-mare-foaling.html
I did some research, and heard many things. Some people said shavings because they are very absorbent, and not dusty like straw. However, I also heard "Use hay. Shavings can and do harbor psuedomonas, sticks to wet foals, gets in eyes, and most importantly, can be dusty. So, if you end up with a batch of dusty shavings with psuedomonas, you could end up with some really nasty problems with your neonate. Stick with straw or hay."

Then some people preferred hay over straw, either because straw was less common and more expensive than hay where they lived.

In a magazine I once read, it said to lay sawdust down, and then straw on top of that. the straw gives a nice cushiness , and allows for any liquids to go through into the sawdust, which will absorb it.

I personally am going to let my horse foal outdoors, keeping it as natural as possible, because in my opinion, horses had it great. Everything went well, until humans came and messed everything up.

So, I suggest you read all these and decide which one makes the most sense to you. Sorry I couldn't give you a better answer, but there are many ways, and its a matter of opinion and availability to which you use.
Most people use wheat straw in the foaling stalls.
I just passed riding level six, and the answer is: straw. This is for howrse.
Straw, so that the mare will not be scratched and the straw won't stick to the new foal. If you're looking for this answer for Howrse, howrseinfo.com has some answers for the riding levels :)

Answer 2

What I use is paper bedding (shredded newspaper) covered with grass hay.

Paper bedding is very absorbent, once it is wet it sticks together for easy removal and replacement and prevents rubber mats from becoming slick.

I use grass hay over the top because it is not a byproduct of another growth process (like straw) so the producer has made an effort to insure that it is clean, mold and dust free and has the added advantages that the mare can eat it before and after foaling and I don't need extra storage space.

Answer 3

Well during the foaling itself you'll want to use straw bedding after a few days you can switch to using shavings, paper, cardboard or pellets.

Answer 4

If the foal is still with its mother I would put a thick straw bedding down with big banks.

Large banks will help prevent the mother from rolling ontop of the foal.

Answer 5

There are several different types of bedding for horses. Straw, which is best for a foaling stall. Shavings as long as they are pine or fir. Rice hulls make great bedding for horse stalls.

Answer 6

Straw is generally considered the best bedding to use when a mare is foaling as it is unlikely to be inhaled by the foal. Once the foal is a day to a week old you can switch to pine shavings.

Answer 7

Straw