Foaling and convalescence

To increase the chances of survival, the natural foaling time immediately precedes the maximum growth period of grass, and would therefore normally be during the warmer months of the year. However, in colder climates and in the case of Thoroughbreds (which breeders need to be born as early in the new year as possible), supplementary heating can be vital.

The natural and comfortable warmth produced by Equine SunSwitch is ideal for foaling. A real advantage of the Philips element is that it emits a soft but effective radiance that allows discrete observation after dark, which is when so many mares prefer to foal down. So there is no need to keep turning lights on and off to see what is going on, and risk upsetting your horse. Unlike other types of heaters, Equine SunSwitch does not warm the air directly. Instead, it gently but effectively warms objects within the pool of warmth it creates in front of the heater, closely resembling the heat from the sun, but without harmful UV.

Preparing your foaling box for parturition Prepare your foaling box well in advance. It should be of a size that enables the mare to move freely and lie down. Ensure it is free from any hazards, such as splinters, sticking out nails, hooks etc. Remove all the bedding and scrub all surfaces, as well as water and feed bucket with soapy water. Allow to dry then repeat the exercise with a recommended disinfectant, such as pine oil or pevadine. Leave the box to dry and ventilate for several days, before introducing fresh clean bedding. Straw or shredded paper is best, as wood chips or sawdust will stick to the wet newborn foal, and may irritate his eyes and nose, or even interfere with respiration. Water and feed containers need to positioned so as not to interfere with or injure the mare or her foal. Install heating and/or lighting for comfort and observation.

Sick and injured animals
Sick and injured animals really seem to appreciate the comfort of Equine SunSwitch. Not only does SunSwitch provide warmth, but it relaxes the animal and promotes a sense of well-being. The gentle light emitted permits observation without disturbance after dark. The element in Equine SunSwitch is fully enclosed behind a safety glass front panel, making it suitable for use in stables and foaling boxes or outdoors.

The radiant heat of SunSwitch with its Philips element has proved to be a very effective adjunct to physiotherapy. Philips say that the benefits of this form of heat therapy are based on locally enhanced blood circulation in the skin, caused by vasodilatory response. It has also been shown to speed the healing of non-infected wounds, in many cases providing rapid and effective pain relief. It has also been found to accelerate the healing of eczemas and saddle sores, and help clear sinus congestion.

The element in Equine SunSwitch is enclosed behind a safety glass front panel. The unit is dust and splash proof, making it suitable for use in stables and foaling boxes.

Download Equine SunSwitch User Guide (1MB pdf).