l give right after the foal arrives. Some mares l'm sure don't seem to look like they need it but some can hide things better then others not unlike people l would think..so for me l give a dose regardless just for peace of mind. l buy the tube of Banamine paste and always have the little powder one dose Flunixin packets which is the same thing but needs to be mixed with water a packet is 3 doses for a mini...find it really handy to take a packet to shows instead of a large tube..l've never had a problem getting a vet to sell to us here in Alberta..to me it's just a must have thing to have on hand..