6 Foal Milk Replacer Emergency Kits Old Horsemen Swear By

It’s three in the morning, and the mare you’ve been watching for weeks is in distress. The foal is on the ground, but something is wrong—the mare won’t let it nurse. In that moment, the clock starts ticking, and what you have stored in your barn office can mean the difference between life and death. Being prepared isn’t just a good idea; it’s a fundamental part of responsible breeding.

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Why Every Breeder Needs an Emergency Foal Kit

Let’s be clear: a foal milk replacer is not a substitute for a mare’s colostrum. That first milk is liquid gold, packed with antibodies the foal desperately needs to build an immune system. Your first emergency supply should always be a bag of frozen colostrum from a reliable source.

But after those first critical hours, the game changes to pure nutrition. A mare might reject her foal, have no milk supply (agalactia), or tragically, not survive the birth. This is where the emergency kit proves its worth. Having a high-quality milk replacer on hand means you can provide immediate, life-sustaining calories and nutrients while you figure out your next move, whether that’s finding a nurse mare or committing to bottle-feeding.

Waiting until you have a problem is waiting too long. Your local feed store might not be open, or they might be out of the one brand you need. An unopened bag of foal milk replacer is cheap insurance that buys you precious time and peace of mind when stress is high and stakes are higher.

Land O’Lakes Mare’s Match: A Trusted Standby

When you need a reliable, no-nonsense formula, Mare’s Match is a name that comes up time and again. It’s formulated to be as close to the real thing as possible, with a balanced profile of protein, fat, and essential nutrients. Old-timers trust it because it’s consistent and foals seem to take to it readily.

The key here is its simplicity and focus. It’s not trying to be a multi-species miracle cure; it’s designed for one job and does it well. The all-milk protein sources are easily digestible for a newborn foal’s sensitive system, which can help reduce the risk of scours.

Think of this as the dependable workhorse of your emergency kit. It mixes well, provides what the foal needs, and has a track record that speaks for itself. There are fancier options out there, but few are as universally solid as this one.

Manna Pro NurseAll for Multi-Species Support

For the hobby farmer with a little bit of everything, NurseAll presents a practical solution. If you’ve got goats, a calf, and a foal on the way, having one bag that can serve as an emergency backup for all of them saves space and money. It’s the ultimate utility player for a diversified farm.

Here’s the tradeoff: a multi-species formula is, by nature, a compromise. It isn’t perfectly optimized for a foal the way a species-specific product is. The protein and fat ratios are a general average designed to support multiple types of young animals.

So, when should you use it? In a true, middle-of-the-night emergency where it’s your only option, NurseAll is a lifesaver. It will absolutely get a weak foal through the first 12-24 hours until you can get to the feed store for a dedicated foal formula. It’s a fantastic backup for your backup.

Buckeye Nutrition Foal-Milk for Gut Health

A newborn foal’s digestive system is incredibly fragile. The slightest imbalance can lead to devastating scours, dehydration, and a cascade of other problems. This is where Buckeye Nutrition’s Foal-Milk really shines, as it’s often formulated with gut health as a top priority.

Many of their formulas include added prebiotics and probiotics. These ingredients help establish a healthy population of beneficial bacteria in the foal’s gut right from the start. This proactive approach can help fend off the pathogens that cause digestive upset, giving the little one a much stronger start.

Choosing this option is for the breeder who wants to be preventative. If you’ve dealt with scours in foals before, you know how quickly things can go downhill. Investing in a formula that supports digestive health from the first feeding can save you a lot of heartache and potential vet bills down the road.

PetAg Foal-Lac Powder: The Industry Standard

If you ask ten different vets what milk replacer to keep on hand, a good number of them will say Foal-Lac. It has been the industry benchmark for decades, and its reputation is built on countless successful outcomes. Its formulation is based on extensive research into the composition of mare’s milk.

Because it’s so well-established, it’s also one of the most widely available options. You can find it in almost any feed supply store, which is a huge advantage in an emergency. There’s no guesswork involved; you know you’re getting a product that has been trusted by professionals for a very long time.

This is the "can’t go wrong" choice. It’s a scientifically-backed, vet-recommended formula that provides balanced nutrition. For breeders who prefer to stick with what’s proven, Foal-Lac is the safest bet you can make for your emergency kit.

Sav-A-Caf Foal Milk Replacer for Easy Mixing

It sounds like a small thing, but when you’re exhausted and fumbling in the dark, fighting with a clumpy powder is the last thing you need. Sav-A-Caf has earned a reputation for being incredibly easy to mix. It dissolves smoothly into a consistent solution, which is critical for both bottle feeding and bucket feeding.

A well-mixed formula ensures the foal gets a balanced nutritional profile in every sip. Clumps can not only clog a nipple but also lead to inconsistent nutrient delivery. Sav-A-Caf’s easy-mixing quality reduces that risk and simplifies the whole process when you’re under pressure.

This is the practical choice for anyone who values ease of use. It’s a quality formulation that takes one potential point of failure—human error during mixing—out of the equation.

Progressive Nutrition Foal’s First Starter

Progressive Nutrition takes a more holistic, system-based approach. While they offer milk replacers, their strength lies in creating a nutritional pathway from birth to weaning. Their products are often designed to work together, starting with milk and transitioning seamlessly to their starter pellets.

Their formulas are known for using high-quality, highly digestible ingredients with a focus on a precise amino acid profile. This isn’t just about calories; it’s about providing the specific building blocks for healthy muscle, bone, and tissue development. It’s a premium option for breeders focused on optimal growth and performance from day one.

Choosing this brand means you’re not just thinking about the first 24 hours; you’re planning for the first few months. It’s an excellent choice for someone who wants a complete nutritional program, not just an emergency stopgap.

Essential Tools to Complete Your Foaling Kit

The best milk replacer in the world is useless if you can’t get it into the foal. Your emergency kit needs more than just a bag of powder. Having the right tools ready is just as important as the formula itself.

Make sure your kit is stocked and ready to go long before the due date. A simple plastic tote can hold everything you need in one place.

• Frozen Colostrum: The absolute first thing you should reach for. At least one or two 300ml bags are essential.
• Bottles and Nipples: A standard soda bottle and a Pritchard teat nipple work great. The soft red rubber is often more accepted by foals than harder nipples.
• Bucket and Whisk: For mixing the formula. Keep them sanitized and dedicated only to the foal.
• Nasogastric Tube: For experienced individuals or your vet only. In a case where a foal won’t suckle, this can be a life-saving tool.
• Digital Thermometer: A foal’s temperature is a key indicator of its health.
• Clean Towels: You can never have too many.
• Vet’s phone number: Written in permanent marker on the lid of the kit. Don’t rely on your phone’s contact list when you’re in a panic.

Ultimately, the specific brand you choose is less important than the act of choosing one and having it on hand before you need it. A well-stocked emergency kit transforms a potential tragedy into a manageable challenge. It’s a small investment that provides the one thing you can’t buy when a crisis hits: time.