The Complete Book of Foaling: An Illustrated Guide for the Foaling Attendant (Howell reference books) (Hardcover)

by Karen E. N. Hayes (Author) "No matter how knowledgeable you are about attending a foaling, none of your expertise will help if you aren't there to apply it..." (more)
Key Phrases: rotational contractions, foaling area, sterile lube (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In Praise of  The Complete Book of Foaling

"A must read for anybody who has ever thought about breeding a mare." —Judith Forbis, Ansata Arabian Stud

"Brilliantly written—reads like a novel, yet beautifully organized so that you can flip to a section at a moment's notice if your mare is in trouble." —Equus

"This book should be included in every foaling kit. In fact, it should never sit on the bookshelf in the house—keep it in the barn where you can always get to it in a hurry!" —Modern Horse Breeding

"Right away the illustrations set this book apart from any other in its class. Dr. Hayes's ability to teach is the other distinction—she has a knack for explaining things in such a way that you understand and remember, and the learning process is fun. I couldn't put the book down until I had read it cover to cover." —Walter Schimanski, Masada Arabians

The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping or Western riding, or whether it's breeding, grooming or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs. Get to know all the books in the Howell Equestrian Library: many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train and care for horses.
The Howell Equestrian Library

From the Inside Flap
Designed as a crash course in the foaling process, The Complete Book of Foaling is equally valuable for veteran horsemen and for people who have never seen a foal born. Dr. Karen Hayes, an equine veterinarian with a specialty in reproduction, explains how to handle a foaling—any foaling, regardless of how easy or how complicated it may turn out to be. Her feeling is that if we know what is happening inside the mare during the late stages of pregnancy and labor, we will understand what is normal and be able to recognize when something goes wrong. She takes us through the whole process step by step, from three weeks before foaling, through the new baby's first twelve hours. She even has a section on how to predict when the foaling will occur, so the designated attendant will be sure to be there when it happens. Since most foals are born at night, and it may be difficult to get help when it's needed, this book, with its 150 photographs and diagrams, can be the source of information and reassurance the foaling attendant needs.

The Complete Book of Foaling not only teaches how to troubleshoot problems but also explains why a problem has occurred and what must be done to correct it. Dr. Hayes knows that the foaling process can be scary and exciting at the same time. She wants to make it the exhilarating and positive experience it is meant to be by contributing not just her expertise but that of "the silent and patient teachings of the mares and foals" she attended. "The horses are the real authors," she says. "I am privileged to be their interpreter."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 1 edition (February 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876059515
• ISBN-13: 978-0876059517
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #322,380 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for foaling, especially for first timers, February 1, 2000

By	L. Peasley (California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Of the books I have read, I probably could have gotten by with only this one to guide me through the foaling process. Dr. Hayes has created a very well written book for anyone to read ... from the layman to others in the veterinary field. The book is quite well organized, with each section covering different crucial stages of foaling, from knowing when she's going to foal through the first 12 hours. Photographs are appropriately placed in order to educate the reader about what ever physical aspect of foaling, from signs, to birth positions, to milking the mare. Personally, I found the organization to be quite a nice touch. There are lists and charts at the end of the book to help you organize the information you've just read. Some issues aren't entirely talked about ... each veterinarian has their own opinions, and Dr. Hayes has her own about vaccines and worming and the such. As always, take the more medical aspects of foaling over with your own veterinarian and decide on what you feel is best.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but not the best around, July 25, 1999

By A Customer

First, this book is very well written and very, very informative. The problem for me was, I read Blessed are the Broodmares by Phyllis Lose first and that book didn't miss a thing! Although The Complete Book of Foaling is a great book, too, and is longer in length, I prefer Blessed are the Broodmares.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book saves lives!, April 2, 2002

By	Cathy Rinne (Chester, IL United States) - See all my reviews

I would like to thank the author of this book for saving the life of a mare and a beautiful bay filly foaled on 3/28/2002. The foal was presented upside down and was unable to be delivered without corrective action. My veterinarian was on vacation and I knew that we were on our own. I remembered reading about this particular dystocia in The Complete Book of Foaling and I grabbed the book and had my assistant read the instructions on how to correct the presentation to me while I carefully followed them. I am happy to report that we were able to correct the presentation and deliver the foal without further incident. This book contains a practical, hands-on approach to foaling and is a must for every foaling attendant. Buy this book. It saves lives.