Attend to the mare and foal during foaling — City & Guilds Limited Occupational Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision
This element focuses on the practical and theoretical knowledge required to safely and competently assist a mare during a normal foaling. Learners must dem
Topic Synopsis
This element focuses on the practical and theoretical knowledge required to safely and competently assist a mare during a normal foaling. Learners must demonstrate the ability to prepare the foaling environment, monitor the mare's stages of labour, provide appropriate assistance without unnecessary intervention, and initiate immediate post-foaling care for both mare and foal, while adhering to health and safety legislation and environmental best practice. Mastery ensures the welfare of the animals and compliance with industry standards, preparing learners for supervisory roles in equine breeding establishments.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Equine nutrition and feeding plans: Understanding the nutritional needs of horses at different life stages, work levels, and health conditions, including the role of forage, concentrates, and supplements.
- Stable management and biosecurity: Implementing protocols for cleaning, disinfecting, and isolating horses to prevent disease spread, along with maintaining safe and hygienic stabling environments.
- Equine behaviour and handling: Recognizing stress signals, using positive reinforcement techniques, and safely managing horses in various situations, including loading and turnout.
- Health monitoring and first aid: Conducting routine health checks, identifying signs of illness or injury, and administering basic first aid such as wound cleaning and bandaging.
- Business and financial management: Budgeting for feed, bedding, and veterinary costs, marketing livery services, and complying with legal requirements like insurance and data protection.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- In written assessments, always reference the Five Freedoms and relevant legislation (e.g., Animal Welfare Act 2006) when discussing monitoring and intervention to demonstrate underpinning knowledge.
- For practical observations, verbalise your actions clearly, stating why you are performing each check (e.g., ‘I am observing the mare’s behaviour for signs of restlessness as this indicates stage one labour’).
- Make clear distinctions between a normal foaling and dystocia; memorise the timeframes for each stage and typical signs of complications, as these are common assessment points.
- When evaluating health and safety, always consider environmental good practice such as waste disposal of membranes and bedding, linking to biosecurity measures like disinfecting the foaling box between uses.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Intervening too early during stage two labour, such as pulling the foal before the mare’s cervix is fully dilated, which can cause injury.
- Failing to maintain sterility when checking the mare internally, leading to potential infection.
- Misidentifying a normal presentation (front feet and nose first) as abnormal, causing unnecessary alarm and improper assistance.
- Neglecting to check the placenta for completeness after expulsion, risking retained membranes and subsequent metritis.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for demonstrating a thorough risk assessment of the foaling area, identifying hazards such as slippery surfaces, inadequate lighting, or obstructions, and implementing control measures.
- Award credit for correctly identifying the three stages of labour and providing evidence of appropriate observation and non-intervention during stage one, while being prepared to assist if stage two exceeds 30 minutes.
- Award credit for explaining the correct procedure for handling a red bag delivery, including immediate rupture of the placenta and controlled traction on the foal’s limbs.
- Award credit for showing competence in post-foaling checks, such as ensuring the foal breathes and stands within one hour and that the mare passes the placenta within three hours, with accurate documentation.