*Photo: Isaac and “Sunny” (Jaguarr x Pepto Solution, owned by Mill Iron Livestock)
Isaac and Kit Johnson, the husband and wife behind Rockin X Horseman’s Academy, are part of our FullBucket Ambassador Team because they live the word “horsemanship” out loud. Everything they do is for the good of their horses. While often not convenient, they are true stewards of the animals we all love, and great teachers in our industry.
This year, we had the opportunity to chat with Kit about their 2025 foaling season. This was such a treat, and we know you’ll love this behind-the-scenes view with them too.
Q: What is the most exciting (or chaotic) part of foaling season for you?
A: Foaling season is a season of extreme highs and sometimes extreme lows. This year is the first year we are foaling out at Rockin X’s new home! So, the most chaotic part was designing, building, and making changes to our foaling set up, but this was well worth it for the most exciting part, which is always getting to see what you get in the foals - color, gender, chrome, etc!
Do you have a favorite foal from this year’s crop?
All of the foals have been very fancy and have set the bar very high, but I am still waiting on my last foal to be born (the one that I am most excited about). This foal is by Wolverrine (a stallion I am currently running) and out of a super nice mare named Waltz With Me Cowboy.
Have you ever had a foal born with a big personality right from the start? Tell us about them!
YES! Isaac’s foal this year is like a pet goat! He’s got a big personality and is very funny! He is the definition of being in your “back pocket”. His name is Ironmann. He is by Metallic Rebel and out of Pepto Solution.
Photo: Isaac and Ironmann (Metallic Rebel x Pepto Solution)
What is the funniest or most unexpected thing that has happened during the 2025 foaling season?
One of the funniest things for me is seeing Isaac’s 6th sense of knowing when a mare is going to foal. He has been present for every foal born!
If your foals could talk, what do you think they would say about their first few days of life?
The first few days have to be some interesting ones for baby foals. From being warm and happy in the mare’s belly to entering this crazy world where people are squirting things in their mouths (we always use Foal Kick Start Paste and Foal Probiotic Paste), getting a few needle pokes to run plasma, a few hairs pulled for DNA samples, it’s a wild entrance!
At Rockin X, we try to spend time with them to promote gentleness and earn their trust. We also respect that they are horses and need to run and play and not be bothered by humans. Somehow we all find the correct balance and it works out!
What is in your must-have foaling season survival kit?
The Rockin X survival kit includes:
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Foal Indicator Strips - pH strips that help you know how close your mare is to foaling
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A great veterinary team that is ready to help day or night,
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Good help that will share night checks with you,
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Foal Kick Start Paste and Foal Probiotic Paste to give newborn foals the gut and immune support that they need,
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and patience - lots and lots of patience.
Why do you choose to use probiotic supplements for your foals, and how has it made a difference?
As I’ve learned with my baby, any newborn is so fragile and it takes time for their digestive system to develop. Probiotic supplements help our foals in this delicate time as they adjust to life in this new world. We have noticed that the adjustment and development period is easier for them and we see less sickness and loose manure.
Using probiotic supplements for foals is like insurance. It’s better to use supplements proactively to help get ahead of any issues that can put our foals’ health at risk. There’s nothing better than seeing a pasture full of happy and healthy foals.
Have you ever had a foal that showed an immediate change after starting probiotics?
Yes! When mares go through foal heat, her milk can change. The change in milk can cause a foal to experience loose stool. We have had great success using probiotics to help clear that issue up quickly.
What is one piece of advice you’d give to new breeders about keeping their foals healthy?
Never wait. Foals do not have much reserve, so at the very first sign that something is wrong, be ready to take action. Always be ahead on ordering the things you need, be organized, and have your vet on call!
Shop all of Kit and Isaac’s foal favorites here with code ROCKINX20 at checkout!
