Foaling season is coming!
A period full of excitement, expectation and responsibility.
Precisely why this is the time to calmly check both your stable environment and your Birth Alarm, so that you can soon look forward to the birth of your foal with confidence.
In addition to preparing your birth announcement, make sure you have a good home environment around the birth, such as:
- a spacious and clean stable
- safe and suitable bedding
- adequate and quiet lighting
- important phone numbers at hand, such as that of your veterinarian
- A birthing kit (gloves, disinfectant, etc.)
- Possibly a camera to keep a close eye on everything
Five quick checks to get your Birth Alarm ready to go:
✔ Batteries – start each season with a new set
✔ Sim card & network – is your connection working reliably?
✔ Phone numbers – is everything still set correctly?
✔ System test – is the alarm working as intended?
✔ Anti-roll girth & holder – is everything still secure and stable?
Please note that this checklist is based on the Birth Alarm Lite 2.0. The steps may vary by model.
Read below by step what to watch out for and how to easily check that everything is ready.
✔ Step 1 – Always use new batteries (per season)
A simple step that is often underestimated.
- Always use new alkaline batteries at the beginning of the foaling season
- Replace all batteries at once
- Do not use rechargeable batteries
- Make sure the batteries are inserted correctly (minus pole on the spring)
What we often see in practice:
“They did it last season too.”
Tip:
Use new batteries each foaling season. We recommend Duracell or Varta batteries for proper operation.
✔ Step 2 – Check your sim card
Your Birth Alarm must be able to reliably connect to the mobile network just when it matters.
- Test if there is sufficient mobile coverage in the barn or pasture. You do this by making a call with the (prepaid) SIM card. If this works well, then the range is sufficient.
- Preferably use a provider that you know works well at your (barn) location
⚠️ Important: 2G network is being phased out
In the Netherlands and Belgium, the 2G network is being switched off step by step. Older Birth Alarm models that operate (in part) on 2G may have trouble connecting or no longer connect at all as a result. Not every model suffers from this.
Notice that your system:
- does not alarm properly
- long searches for network
If so, this may be related to this.
👉 A substitution program is available for older models, where you can exchange your transmitter for a 4G model. This will keep your Birth Alarm reliable for years to come.
Unsure which network your SIM card uses? If so, contact your phone provider.
✔ Step 3 – Check the programmed phone numbers
At the moment of birth, you do not want uncertainty.
- Are the correct phone numbers set up?
- Are the numbers still correct?
- Is the first number (M1) a mobile number?
- Does everyone who can be called know what to do when a report is made?
What we often see in practice:
An old or disused phone number is still set.
✔ Step 4 – Test the system (inside and in the barn)
Testing gives confidence and prevents doubt later.
Test at home and in the (birthing) barn
- Check that the transmitter turns on correctly (green light flashes green for 4 sec)
- Now turn the transmitter 90°, the narrow side is facing upward
- Status light now flashes orange
- A few seconds later, the light turns blue and the transmitter rings
- You will be called at the number you programmed under “M1”
- Don’t answer! Don’t refuse! Just let it ring out.
- The transmitter automatically stops ringing.
- Then call back to the number to stop the alarm.
- The test is complete: the Birth Alarm works!
This is the test procedure in the normal mode of the Birth Alarm Lite 2.0.
✔ Step 5 – Check the anti-roll girth or holder
Proper assembly is essential for proper operation.
- Is the anti-roll girth still sturdy and intact?
- Are there no cracks or wear?
- Is the transmitter stable and cannot move?
- Is the anti-roll girth still fitting and in good condition?
Tip:
Check preferably before your mare is in high pregnancy so you can reorder any accessories in time.
Well prepared begins with rest
Foaling season is exciting enough. By quietly checking your Birth Alarm now, you create confidence for the weeks ahead, for yourself and for your mare.
✔ All tested
✔ All checked
✔ Ready to use
That way you won’t have to hesitate later, but can just be there at the moment you’ve been waiting for 11 months: the birth of your foal.
In doubt about something or want to check which model you are using? Consult the manual of your Birth Alarm at https://birthalarm.com/handleidingen or contact your dealer or our support. We will be happy to help you further.