Portable Palpation chutes

[Canterbury Court]

My vet has just informaed me that he will not come to my farm to ultrasound my mares for pregnancy as I have no palpation chute. It has not been a problem before and all the mares will stand to be ultrasounded. However, it is certainly his choice. Unfortunately I have 8 mares, some with foals, and it is much more convenient to have some one come here. I have palces outside the barn for a permanent chute, though with our sun I doubt anyone would be able to see much. Does anyone know of a portable palpation chute we could haul into the barn when we need to and then store outside?

[cshmouse]

I don't have a portable palpation chute, but set up a collapsable one with the help of a welder. I drilled a whole in the cement of a stall big enough to fit a steel pipe. There is a wooden bracket built into the ceiling. On this pipe is a welded steel bracket that the side steel pipe slides into. We rigged up a 1/2 door that can be removed to replace the stall door. Vet doesn't get kicked, mare stays put, and the foal just roams around his ordinary stall.

The only down side being there is a small blind spot for the mare (right at her hip) and that of coarse corresponds with the general position of the vet. So if you are blessed with a bold and curious foal that cannot get enough of pestering the ever so interesting vet, well....the mare can get a little worried. Otherwise, it is a little cumbersome to set up, but it is well worth it to never have to worry about foals running a muck or extra handlers to keep the foals close to mom. And, I think it cost me all of 100.00!

[Equine Reproduction]

My vet has just informaed me that he will not come to my farm to ultrasound my mares for pregnancy as I have no palpation chute. It has not been a problem before and all the mares will stand to be ultrasounded. However, it is certainly his choice. Unfortunately I have 8 mares, some with foals, and it is much more convenient to have some one come here. I have palces outside the barn for a permanent chute, though with our sun I doubt anyone would be able to see much. Does anyone know of a portable palpation chute we could haul into the barn when we need to and then store outside?

Yup. Go here; http://www.horsestocks.com/mobile.htm While I don't like their portable stocks as much as I do the one's you set into concrete, they are still a better option than no stocks at all. i don't blame your vet for not wanting to palpate or ultrasound without stocks. Even the best behaved mares occasionally have bad days or will unexpectedly spook and let me tell ya, standing where you do to palpate/ultrasound is right in the line of fire. If you've ever seen or been kicked while palpating/ultrasounding it just takes one time to convince you that you're never going to do that again!

J.L. Smith is a great company to work with, as well. Nicest people to deal with. If you contact them, say hello for us.

Good luck!

[pintopiaffe]

Redneck breeding chute = two horse stock/combo custom trailer.

Put mare in driver's side stall (if you're right handed.) Put foal in passenger stall or nose (nose is as large as dressing room) where Mama can see/touch etc.

Stand just to side of "A" beam post at back of trailer.

*Voila.*

:o

I learned to AI my own mares last year. Mare #1 would've stood ground tied, but I didn't know how long it would take me to figure stuff out... Also, didn't know Mare #2 all that well. The trailer was ideal.

Mind you, not ALL trailer setups would be safe, but many are definitely an option.