STUD FARM DIARIES

Despite record rain and cool weather this spring, we were suddenly catapulted into summer when the temperatures went from the 60s to the 90s in a day. When the weather changes this suddenly during foaling season, I monitor the new foals carefully. Newborn foals cannot regulate their temperature very well for the first week of life. Therefore, a foal that was turned out yesterday at 70F, may not be turned out at 90F, especially if there is no shade. In general, I would rather the foal be out under shade, where the ventilation is better. I have seen foals in hot weather kept in stalls, presumably to keep them cooler, but unless there is excellent ventilation, the foal could be hotter inside. If we do have to keep a foal in a stall in hot weather, we set up a fan, angled down onto the foal.

Having worked in very hot climates in my career, I believe that