Frequently Asked Questions

What is FoalWatch?

FoalWatch test kits help predict foal birth within 24 hours by measuring the concentration of calcium in the mare’s colostrum. The calcium level increases sharply as labour approaches. It is intended as a foaling aid and should not substitute for standard veterinary care. Please see the test kit instructions on the Download page for test procedure and interpretation of test results.

When do I begin testing my mare?

Begin sampling and testing once or twice a day about 10-14 days before the mare’s expected foaling date. In mares with an unknown breeding date, testing should begin as soon as you note some udder enlargement, and mammary secretions can be collected without undo effort.

What is the average gestation length for mares?

The gestation period in horses is approximately 335-340 days, or 11 months from the first time being bred. Some mares will be inclined to foal earlier or later than the average.

What interferences or complications could affect the accuracy of the test?

Mares that have been exposed to fescue grass, specifically the Kentucky-31 variety) during the last 60-90 days of gestation may fail to undergo normal udder development prior to foaling. Without a sample of prefoaling milk, testing will not be possible with this kit. The supplement domperidone, which is given to some mares to increase milk production, can impact the calcium level of the mare’s milk, causing inflated reading with the FoalWatch kit.

Does sampling impact the quality of the colostrum, or ‘first milk’?

Obtaining the small sample volume that is required for testing, on a once to twice daily average, for 10-14 days prior to foaling, does not deprive the foal of any significant amount of colostrum or its antibody content.

For more information, please read The Use of a Prefoaling Milk Calcium Test Kit in the Foaling Management of Mare by Dr. William B. Ley

What is the accuracy of the FoalWatch Kit?

The accuracy of the Titrets® test kits varies with the analyte concentration because the Titret ampoules have a non-linear scale. At twice the minimum concentration for a particular kit range, with the exception of the Carbon Dioxide Titret kit catalogue No. K-1910, the accuracy is ±10% error. For K-1910, the accuracy is ±30% at twice the minimum concentration.

How many kits will I need?

Each FoalWatch test kit contains 20 tests. We typically recommend 1-2 test kits per mare, depending on when you begin testing.

How should the kit be stored and how long will it last?

The kit should be stored in the dark and at room temperature. The indicator solution bottle in the test kit is the kit component with the shortest shelf life, of 12 months from date of manufacture (DOM). Replacement indicator solution bottles are available for purchase to extend the life of your kit.

What is the Warranty Period?

Galgo (UK) Ltd warrants the FoalWatch product to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for 12 months from date of manufacture. This warranty does not apply to merchandise improperly stored or handled by a party or parties other than Galgo (UK) Ltd. This warranty shall be in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

The foregoing warranties are Galgo's sole warranties for any products sold by Galgo (whether manufactured, assembled or distributed by AquaPhoenix or third parties). All other warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are hereby disclaimed.

What is the Liability Policy?

The responsibility for the safe and legal use of the CHEMetrics chemicals and reagents sold by Galgo rests entirely with the customer. We assume the customer to be competent and professional and to take the necessary precautions when handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous or non-hazardous materials.

Liability for defective merchandise is limited to replacement cost. The customer shall defend, indemnify and hold AquaPhoenix Scientific and Galgo (UK) Ltd harmless from any and all claims, damages, loss, liability, fines, payments, solicitor fees and expenses, arising out of and in connection with injuries (including death), or damage to property (including materials, machinery, tools, equipment) resulting from the negligent or illegal use of AquaPhoenix products by customer or any third party to whom customer provided the AquaPhoenix product.

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the parties agree that neither party shall be liable to the other for any special, consequential or punitive damages whatsoever, whether in contract, tort (including negligence and strict liability), or any other legal or equitable principle, regardless of the cause of action and even if a party has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

What is the Returns Policy?

Galgo (UK) Ltd will repair, replace or refund the purchase price for defective CHEMetrics products. If a return is required, then Galgo will pay for the return shipping cost subject to agreement method. This is the exclusive remedy for damages of any nature, including incidental and consequential, resulting from such products. Galgo and CHEMetrics reserve the right to change or discontinue any product without notice.

Where products damaged in transit to the customer, Galgo will provide replacement products at no cost to the customer. Galgo will require photographic evidence of the damaged goods as well as the carton, to highlight any signs of visible damage on the carton, for insurance purposes. A return may not be necessary. If a return is required, then Galgo will pay for the return shipping cost subject to agreement method.

Where incorrect products have been supplied to the customer by Galgo in error, Galgo will pay for the return shipping cost subject to agreement method. Galgo will then either ship the correct products or provide a refund, whichever the customer prefers.

Returns are not accepted for new and unused FoalWatch test kits that are no longer required by the customer, as these are non-stock items.

Disposal

Hazardous waste must be identified, managed and disposed according to local, county and nationwide regulations. Once CHEMetrics products (used or unused) are in a customer's possession, the customer is considered the waste generator according to national regulations. The waste generator bears ultimate legal responsibility for making hazardous waste determinations and deciding how to dispose of the waste. Neither CHEMetrics nor Galgo are licensed waste treatment or disposal facilities and are not permitted to advise customers about waste management, nor nor to accept returned products from customers for disposal.

In the UK and EU, hazardous waste is regulated as follows. A list of environmental regulators can be found on the Links page.

For guidance regarding hazardous waste determinations, analysts should consult with their company’s regulatory affairs or environmental compliance department who will be familiar with the regulations. Otherwise, it is advisable to contract with a registered waste disposal company in order to ensure that the waste is properly disposed of.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) clearly list the chemical components of the solutions and reagents in Galgo supplied CHEMetrics products. Waste generator knowledge and product information found on the applicable SDSes, in particular, sections 3 (Composition/information on ingredients) and section 9 (physical and chemical properties), can be utilised to characterise the waste and make disposal decisions. When disposing of used CHEMetrics products, the hazards associated with the samples themselves must also be considered when making hazardous waste determinations, as the ampoules or vials will contain both reagent and sample. National regulations do not mandate that waste be tested by an analytical laboratory to determine whether it is hazardous.

The FoalWatch SDS file is made up of 2 separate SDSes, the first for the reagent ampoules and the second for the indicator solution bottle, so be sure to examine the relevant sections in both SDSes, not just the first one.

Section 3.2 of the SDS provides information on the composition of the reagent (individual chemical components and concentration).

Section 9.1 of the SDS provides physical and chemical properties of the reagent as well as a description, including the reagent volume (prior to mixing with sample).

The UK government web site's guide on Hazardous Waste for businesses producers or holders of hazardous waste mandates the following actions.

Classify your waste to determine what is hazardous.
Separate and store hazardous waste safely and that you have any necessary environmental permits.
Use an authorised and registered contractor to collect, and recycle or dispose of your hazardous waste.
Produce requisite consignment notes for the collection(s).
Maintain a register (documentation) for 3 years.

Private individuals generating small quantities of hazardous waste should attempt to classify their waste using SDSes, and contact their local authority in the first instance.